Scott Sponsors Resolution Declaring National School Choice Week, Calls for Swift Reauthorization of DC OSP

Washington– U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), a leading advocate for school choice in the United States Senate and sponsor of the “National School Choice Week” resolution, issued the following statement at the beginning of “National School Choice Week,” which takes place January 25 through January 31:

“As we mark National School Choice Week, we recommit ourselves to the belief that every child in America, regardless of where they live or their family’s social economic status, deserves access to a quality education. Today, for many, the school in their neighborhood is wonderful, but sadly in our county there are too many children who do not have the same chance to attend a wonderful school. I believeschool choice, the ability for parents to make the best educational choice for their child, is critically important to providing that opportunity for children,” said Scott, who will file the resolution when the U.S. Senate returns. “I am proud to once again sponsor the National School Choice Week resolution, because we know that when parents have a choice, kids have a better chance. Whether it is a public, charter, parochial, homeschool, or nontraditional school, each parent should have the opportunity to make the decision on what is best for their child’s educational needs.”

Scott continued, “As we celebrate National School Choice Week, it is important that we quickly reauthorize the successful Washington D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Opportunity Scholarship Program has increased graduation rates and college success rates for low-income and minority families in our nation’s Capital. It stands among the many programs in our country that show school choice works. Working together, we can make school choice available to every child, every family and every community.”

In October, Senator Scott, along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act to extend the scholarship program through 2025.

Enacting greater school choice options for all students continues to be a central focus of Senator Scott’s legislative work as a member of the Senate Education Committee. Last February, he hosted “Choosing Excellence: A Forum on the Freedom to Choose Academic Excellence for Every Child,” a daylong forum that brought together nationally recognized school choice advocates, experts, and practitioners, as well as parents and students to Capitol Hill to discuss the urgency of promoting academic excellence for every child across the country.

He has also introduced his CHOICE Act to expand school choice for children with disabilities, military families and low-income communities.