Three thousand parents, students, educators, and community leaders are expected to gather on the north State House steps on Wednesday, January 27, for the My SC Education Rally.

The event, which will take place at 10 a.m., will feature keynote speaker Kevin Chavous of American Federation for Children, Lieutenant Governor Henry McMaster, and State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, along with program participants representing all forms of education options – from traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, and private schools to home education.

The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 24-30, 2016), which will be America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education, with more than 16,000 events being planned nationwide.

“Palmetto Family looks forward to spotlighting educational opportunity for Palmetto State parents each year during National School Choice Week,” said Dr. Oran Smith, president of Palmetto Family. “We are committed to helping parents find the right school for their children so they can reach their full potential.”

“School choice can make a huge different in any student’s life, especially those who are struggling in a school that is not the right fit,” said Mary Carmichael, president of the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina. “We want to be a part of making sure every child finds a school that works for them.”

Ellen Weaver, president of Palmetto Promise Institute, concluded, “More education options mean more opportunity for every South Carolina student.” She continued, “We’re excited to rally with thousands of students, parents, and educators to celebrate high-quality options – public, private, home, and virtual – that can empower every Palmetto State student to write their own education success story.”

The event is being planned by a group of state-based and national organizations that includes Palmetto Promise Institute, Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, StudentsFirstSC, Palmetto Family, Connections Education, Public School Options, Magnet Schools of America, St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship Funding Organization, Northside Christian Academy, Hidden Treasure Christian School, SC Homeschool Connection, Midlands Homeschool Resource Center, Foundation for Excellence in Education, American Federation for Children, and Friedman Foundation.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through thousands of independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.