Little Rock, Arkansas – The Statehouse Convention Center in Downtown Little Rock hosted a school choice fair on Saturday.
The event served as a prelude to National School Choice Week, which starts on Sunday. The Reform Alliance, a nonprofit organization based in Arkansas, hosted the event.
The organization’s managing director, Emmy Henley, stated, “We want to make sure that every child has a world-class education.” That is our entire goal. If a child’s needs aren’t being fulfilled, we want to inform parents about what’s out there, what’s available, and what they can do to help them.
Henley assisted in organizing the Alliance’s tenth event on Saturday. Traditional schools, online choices, tutoring services, and more were among the 75 companies at the event.
Henley stated, “We emailed, we called, we did all sorts of things.” “I mean, we really wanted as many people from the Central Arkansas area as possible to come here so that parents could learn about all the options that are available.”
The Arkansas Learning Network, an online education program that helps individuals obtain a high school certificate, was one of the first exhibitors to attend.
According to Michael O’Leary, their executive director, they provide an unconventional approach to education. According to O’Leary, he valued that parents were allowed to select that strategy or any other at this event based on what was best for them and their child.
According to O’Leary, “there are a lot of people in there that are providers in a huge variety of ways.” There is a smorgasbord of options for parents to choose from. You are welcome to come and do whatever it is you want to do.
One parent who came to do that was Stacy Dreher from Bryant.
She claimed that a day like today was ideal for finding a change for one of her children.
Dreher remarked, “You can see what’s out there.” Check out what’s offered. It’s overwhelming how much information is available online and through Google searches. This helps you focus and provides additional in-person interactions where you may speak with someone and learn more.
According to Henley, the event is more successful than ever as it approaches its tenth year.
And more crucial than before.
“We think that the needs of the child should be the foundation of education,” Henley stated. “Not on the basis of anything we wish to force onto them. Therefore, we believe it’s crucial, and the parents are the ideal people to make that decision. Parents are the ones who know their children the best.
