NSCW brings hundreds to state capitol

Last week’s National School Choice Week celebrations in Missouri were big.

Really big.

So big, in fact, that our school choice rally at the state capitol overflowed the space we were supposed to use.

Over 700 participants did more than just fill the capitol rotunda.

They shared amazing music and energetic calls for more school choice in Missouri. They filled the second and third-floor observation areas. They spilled out into the hallways surrounding the rotunda.

They made it a truly historic event.

In the end, we brought more voices for expanding school choice to the capitol than we have ever had there at one time.

Summit Christian Academy’s Kimberlee Gill was an amazing partner for the event. She helped CEAM recruit and organize the 15 different participating schools.

Those schools included: Summit Christian Academy, Outreach Christian Education, Northland Christian School, Marian Hope Academy, College Heights Christian School, Cornerstone Christian, Christian Fellowship School, First Baptist Christian School, Torah Prep School of St. Louis, Baptist Bible Church of Jefferson City Homeschool Group, Blue Ridge Christian School, Heartland Christian, Clinton Christian Academy, North County Christian School, and H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy.

Students from these schools sang, played a wide variety of instruments, and took time to share their stories with their elected officials.

What a way to end a week focused on school choice!

For photos from the rally please scroll down to the bottom of the article.

Wednesday policy panel delves into school choice

While the rally was a great ending to the week, the policy panel the night before was a great in-depth look at the importance of school choice in Missouri.

The panel featured Dr. James V. Shuls, Rep. Shamed Dogan, the Show-Me Institute’s Susan Pendergrass, private school leader Kimberly Gill, and Institute for Justice’s Rachelle Engen.

Dr. Shuls led an insightful conversation which featured both personal stories of how school choice had helped panelists and important data about the state of education in Missouri and what programs were working in other states.

Kimberlee Gill talked about how people from across the education spectrum need to start working together for all students.

Rachelle Engen talked about the history of the Blain Amendment and how parents know what is best for their child and focus on trying to find the tools they will need to excel in to the future.

Rep. Shamed Dogan talked about growing in the Normandy School District and how going to a private school was transformational for him. He explained that is why he is fighting in the legislature to make sure that all kids have similar opportunities.

Susan Pendergrass talked about the need for increased accountability and how to help parents learn more about how their schools are really doing.