Thousands Rally for School Choice at Capitol

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life."
Proverbs 4:13

Texas State Capitol -- Earlier today, 2500 people marched on Texas' capitol to demand the 84th #TXLEGE illustrate that "it is time for school choice in Texas."  Because all children learn differently, a one-size-fits-all government school system is doomed to fail.  The joyus celebration featured children, parents, and elected officials.

Senator Donna Campbell:



Highlights:

• Thank you Texas for supporting School Choice.

• "With school choice every child gets a voice."

• "No child should be trapped in a failing, chronically under performing, school."

• The status quo "is a tragedy, created by government."

• "We can not allow status quo to dictate who attends the best schools in our state."

• "The time for the change is NOW!!!"

• "School choice will make our bad schools better and our good schools GREAT!!!"

Sterling Griffith speaks on behalf of Virtual Education:



Highlights:

• She has ADD.

• She was bullied in the government schools.

• The government schools forced her to choose between her education and her acting career.

• In her virtual school, she talks to her teacher "way more than ever before."

• Virtual school gives her more freedom and flexibility.

Ellecia Knoelle speaks on behalf of choice within the Government schools:



Highlights:

• Naively assumed her neighborhood school was ok.

• Resented friends who sent kids to private schools.

• After giving up on government schools: "Thank God for school choice.
• Eventually sends her kids to a magnet school.

• Do not assume good ZIP codes ensure good schools.

• Construction does not equal instruction.

Joni Mitchell (Houston Gateway Academy):



Daniel Serralde (The LIBRE Initiative):



Highlights:

• Texas school districts employ 642,000 employees, only half of whom are teachers.

• Texas leads the nation in growth of administrators.

• Not all children have the same educational needs.

Margaret Ruff speaks on behalf of Private Schools:



Highlights:

• By teaching in a private school she has flexibility to do her job.

• I can make learning fun.

Joe Ten Brook speaks on Behalf of Charter Schools:



Highlights:

• Too many students are stuck in destructive situations.

• In the past, when the old system stopped working, people did something new.

• Had a student who only learned English in a charter school.

Here's more of the flavor of the event: