Charters mark School Choice Week this January

Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Celebrates “National School Choice Week”  

In celebration of the nearly 60,000 students who have access to quality educational options through Louisiana’s widespread and robust network of public charter schools, the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) is recognizing National School Choice Week during the week of Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.  

LAPCS actively participates in offering numerous school choice options to students across the Bayou State through its 117 public charter schools in 19 parishes; these schools comprise one of the strongest charter school movements in the country, thanks to one of the most powerful charter school laws in the U.S.

During National School Choice Week, LAPCS will partner with other educational choice organizations such as the Louisiana Federation for Children and Black Alliance for Educational Options for a series of parent outreach initiatives, including school tours, student spotlights and partnerships with local media.   “Louisiana parents and students are truly empowered by their educational options, be it charter, traditional, private or online; to put it simply, choice equals parent power,” said LAPCS Executive Director Caroline Roemer Shirley.  

New Orleans has grown to encompass the highest percentage of public school students attending charter schools in the nation, said Roemer-Shirley, who expects other parishes will soon move in the same direction. To make headway, LAPCS has developed the “Apply Yourself” program to help people fulfill their dream of opening a local, public charter school. 

“Parents get it: schools that empower the principal and teachers to make classroom decisions are more accountable for learning. In fact, parents see through the political games; they understand that the students’ best interest should be at the heart of education,” said Ms. Roemer-Shirley.  

Louisiana’s laws empower parents and community leaders to forge new paths for educational options, and charter schools are just one example, as districts now offer traditional schools, blended and virtual charters too.  

“During National School Choice Week, we want parents to take time to explore all the educational choice options available to them here in Louisiana. We want parents to take time between January 26 and February 1 to grab onto “parent power” and take the reigns of their child’s education,” said Ms. Roemer-Shirley.  
For additional information on National School Choice Week, log onto www.schoolchoiceweek.com. For further details about school tours coordinated during Choice Week by the Louisiana Federation for Children and Black Alliance for Educational Options, contact Stephanie Malin with LFC at smalin@federationforchildren.org.

The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools supports, promotes, and advocates for the Louisiana charter school movement, increasing student access to high quality public schools statewide.. Ms. Roemer Shirley is the founder and director of this statewide non-profit. Contact her at croemer@lacharterschools.org. Find more at www.lacharterschools.org