It’s not often that a dance party breaks out in the U.S. Capitol, but that’s exactly what happened as hundreds of students, parents and educators rallied in support for school choice on Tuesday. As part of National School Choice Week, an annual celebration in support of parents exercising all of their educational options, the rally was just one of thousands of events taking place across the country.
Joining the hundreds rallying for school choice included senators and congressmen, including House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who spoke passionately about their support for school choice and educational freedom. Led by Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the rally was the second annual national school choice rally on Capitol Hill.
The dance party took place in between speeches by congressman, senators and school choice advocates who are feeling optimistic about the chances of boosting educational options for parents after a historic election that saw Republicans holding Congress and winning back the White House. Republicans have been generally supportive of school choice at the state and federal level over the years.
And although support for school choice remains high among African American and Latino families — two groups that are benefiting from greater educational freedom — no Democratic member of Congress spoke at Tuesday’s rally. Messer told Opportunity Lives that “scheduling conflicts” may have played a role in the lack of Democratic members of Congress participating in this year’s festivities, but said that there is support in Congress for the general idea of greater educational options.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) addresses the National School Choice Week rally in Washington, D.C. | Photo: NSCW
Scott, who is just one of three African-Americans serving in the U.S. Senate, told the crowd that his support for school choice is grounded in his belief that every child should have a chance to receive a quality education. The junior senator from the Palmetto State talked about his difficult upbringing, including living in poverty and being raised by a single mom, but was able to see his fortunes change thanks to a quality education.
“Education is the closest thing to magic in America,” Scott said.
A number of members who were on hand spoke favorably of Betsy DeVos, President Trump’s pick for education secretary and a philanthropist and education reform advocate currently awaiting confirmation. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who served as education secretary under President George H. W. Bush, was among the members speaking glowingly of DeVos and questioned why anyone would fight her nomination.
“Democrats are in a fit because the president has nominated someone that has spent 30 years fighting to give low-income kids a quality education,” Alexander said.
Scott was also supportive of DeVos’s nomination. He told Opportunity Lives that he remains committed to her nomination following a contentious confirmation hearing that saw Democrats on the committee question her commitment to supporting public education—including educating children with disabilities—even as school choice options grow.
“Betsy DeVos will be an advocate for all children…including children with disabilities,” Scott said.
House School Choice Caucus chairman Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.), left, shakes hands with U.S. Senator and former education secretary Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). | Photo: NSCW
Ultimately, DeVos’s nomination is seen by many school choice advocates as an opportunity to expand educational choice options that have allowed many low-income students to opt-out of low-performing schools to attend a school of their choosing. Programs such as the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP), which has allowed parents to send their children to a private school in the District of Columbia.
Adrienne Rich is among those that has benefitted from the DCOSP. Rich tells Opportunity Lives that opponents of greater educational choice fail to understand just how vital these opportunities are for families in need.
“As a parent, I did not want my child in a school system that was broken and trying to fix itself,” she said. “I had a choice [to leave] and I took it.”
More of this is what’s needed according to Messer that believes that a complete reorientation about how the government views federal education dollars is needed.
“As long as we stay focused on the student,” Messer said, “we are going to be just fine.”
Israel Ortega is a Senior Writer for Opportunity Lives. You can follow him on Twitter: @IzzyOrtega.
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