February 2014

Ready, Set, Advocate!

Not even a record-breaking cold spell can keep our parents from starting off 2014 with a bang. Legislatures are back in session, policy is moving, and parents are mobilizing to have their voices heard. We first embraced National School Choice Week (read more about our partnership in NSCW's guest blog here), celebrating along with thousands of other parents, students, and teachers across the country. For photos, video and updates on our activity, visit our Facebook page. And now our lineup of 2014 Capitol Days is off to an exciting start. In the coming weeks, our dedicated parents and students speak out to their legislators in Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Idaho, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Washington, Arkansas, and Tennessee. (See our Upcoming Events section for dates.) So heres to a year of advocacy, enthusiasm and most of all public school options!

Table of Contents
Ready, Set, Advocate! Profile States in the Spotlight Cheers for Champions

In The Spotlight

Profile
Partners and Allies See how Board Director Amy Threewitts pioneer family took a chance on virtual learning and hit its stride The Brookings Institution ranks school districts by choice Getting Smart takes a closer

look at technology and teachers

States in the Spotlight

New Jersey Chapter hosts NJ School Choice Summit PublicSchoolOptions.orgs Beth Purcell addresses the SC NSCW crowd Tennessees coalition calls for School Choice Now! PublicSchoolOptions.orgs Lauren Marshall talks options on Tulsa, OK news and Louisiana families kick off 2014 advocacy On Our Reading List StudentsFirst issues its State Policy Report Card 2014

PublicSchoolOptions.org Board President Beth Purcell celebrates National School Choice Week in an opinion piece with Getting Smart. Virginia Delegate Jimmie Massie, a champion for virtual options, kicks off a busy season in his state with a Richmond-Times Dispatch op-ed. Rep. Cantor takes on NYC Mayor deBlasio on school choice Online learning empowers an Arkansas family Virtual reality could introduce field trips of the future National Black Chamber of Commerces CEO touts WIs charter success PLUS: Interested in new data, new education technology, and renewed leadership on school choice? See whats fresh in 2014 with this months blogs.

National President and South Carolina Chapter Chair Beth Purcell spoke at National School Choice Week's rally in Columbia, SC on January 23rd.

Cheers for Champions

Pumped about the 2014 Olympics? We already have a few gold medal winners of our own.

Upcoming Events Iowa Capitol Day February 4, 2014 New Mexico Capitol Day February 5, 2014
PublicSchoolOptions.org's Oklahoma Chapter partnered with National School Choice Week at their School Choice Expo on January 28th. Speakers included Senator Jabar Shumate, Representative Jason Nelson and Superintendent Janet Barresi.

Colorado Capitol Day February 5, 2014 Oregon Capitol Day February 5, 2014 Indiana Capitol Day February 12, 2014 Idaho Capitol Day February 17, 2014 Oklahoma Capitol Day February 18, 2014 Wyoming Capitol Day February 19, 2014 Washington Capitol Day February 20, 2014 Arkansas Capitol Day February 25, 2014 Tennessee Capitol Day February 26, 2014 Digital Learning Day February 5, 2014 National Charter Schools Conference June 29 - July2, 2014, Las Vegas, NV Check your state coalition page for upcoming events in your area.

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