(NewsUSA) - More than 2.3 million workers were injured on the job last year in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers in the industrial sector face significant risks due to routine exposure to heavy equipment such as cranes or machinery, load handling activities, operating electrical components, and heights. These hazards not only endanger workers but also have widespread implications for businesses, including operational disruptions and financial losses. The National Safety Council estimates that workplace injuries cost employers $167 billion annually in lost wages, medical and administrative costs, and time spent hiring and training replacements. 

Safety is too important to leave to chance. Training can increase awareness and improve worker safety, but traditional training methods don’t always provide the hands-on, realistic experiences that prepare workers for real-world challenges.

Using Simulations for Safer Operations
Simulations can make training more effective and have been used for decades in complex, high-stakes industries such as aviation and the surgical field. Virtual simulations re-create realistic, dangerous, real-world scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, giving workers the opportunity to practice high-risk, complex tasks and safety procedures. 

Plus, workers can get unlimited practice and repeat scenarios using a wide variety of equipment until they master it, reducing risks, preventing injuries, and saving lives. Workers in industrial settings are often faced with the need to make quick decisions in stressful situations, and they need to be prepared. 

One company leading the charge on using simulations for safer operations is Interplay Learning, with its acquisition of Industrial Training International (ITI), a global leader in learning solutions for crane, rigging, and load handling activities.  The company offers innovative training solutions in the industrial sector on a wide range of topics that including safety and lift planning and management. By blending classroom training with hands-on learning, employers can adopt a hybrid safety approach that increases engagement, understanding, and skill mastery.   

Seeing Simulations in Action

Crane operators paint the picture of an essential role where even minor errors can have catastrophic consequences. Sitting in the cab of a crane can be intimidating, even when everything is going right. Operators need to master technical skills, safety protocols, and situational awareness, paying attention to balance, overhead powerlines, the wind, safe lifting practices, and more.

A crane simulator allows workers to experience not only the basics of operating complex machinery but also malfunctions and emergency scenarios that would be impossible to recreate safely while on the job.

Simulations, whether they’re in crane operations or troubleshooting an electrical circuit, also provide real-time data, showing workers where they made mistakes and how to improve. Integrating real-time feedback and artificial intelligence allows employers to tailor training programs to each employee’s specific needs, increasing efficiency and ensuring workers focus on the areas they need to master.

An added benefit of simulation-based training is the ability to standardize the experience, ensuring that all workers, regardless of their location, receive the same high-quality experience. It eliminates the variables associated with specific trainers and training conditions. It also decreases the need for physical equipment, reduces the risk of accidents during training, and provides increased flexibility and accessibility for remote or shift workers.

Cultivating Safety Culture

When safety is a top priority, workers feel valued and are more engaged. Real-world training scenarios reinforce safe work habits and teach safety measures to minimize on-the-job injuries, helping cultivate a safety culture.

More importantly, workers trained using innovative simulations are more confident and better equipped to handle dangerous situations if they occur. In an emergency, even seconds count. Reacting quickly and accurately minimizes exposure for everyone on the job site.

Investing in training also boosts employee morale, increases loyalty, and improves retention. The University of Phoenix Career Optimism’s Index found that 65% of workers said how much a company invests in reskilling/upskilling is something they consider when looking for new opportunities, and 69% said they would be more likely to stay with an employer throughout their career if the company provided opportunities for applying new skills.

Embracing the Latest Technology

New technology continues to make training for industrial workers safer and more effective, and training programs should evolve when new solutions become available. With its acquisition of ITI, Interplay Learning now offers online training courses and simulations for crane operations, rigging and load handling, making it easy and affordable to include virtual simulations in training programs through cloud-based learning platforms. Workers can access the training via laptops, desktops, tablets, and virtual reality headsets, reducing logistical barriers and eliminating the need for expensive equipment. 

Content is updated regularly and can be customized to address an organization’s and employee’s needs and priorities. More importantly, workers can repeat lessons and practice a wide range of scenarios, including those that aren’t always safe or easy to replicate in the field. Interactive knowledge checks and assessments built into the training programs provide immediate feedback to employees and allow organizations to track workers’ progress, identify gaps, and ensure mastery.

The direct and indirect costs associated with on-the-job accidents can be catastrophic. Investing in safety training creates a more confident workforce better equipped to handle dangerous or even emergency situations, reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities, lowering accident-related expenses, and improving productivity. Interplay Learning’s subscription-based models make training even more accessible. 

Contact Interplay Learning to learn more about how virtual simulation training can protect your business and help save lives.

(NewsUSA) - Baby Boomers hit peak retirement in 2024, according to the Retirement Income Institute. In the years to come, we will see the remainder of this generation leave the workforce, as more than 4.1 million turn 65 every year between now and 2027. As Baby Boomers retire, new opportunities are emerging for younger generations to step into critical roles.

The number of American jobs in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field is expected to grow 10.4% between 2023 and 2033, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Currently, the country lacks enough skilled workers to fill all those roles – and this gap is likely to persist. The Semiconductor Industry Association projects 1.4 million U.S. STEM jobs will go unfilled – including 67,000 in the semiconductor industry – by 2030.

This is why the U.S. needs to further promote STEM skills at all education levels. Existing evidence shows how urgently these investments are needed. At the moment, only 20% of high school graduates can handle college-level STEM courses, according to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

STEM Employment Expands Prosperity

Promoting careers in STEM brings new prosperity to under-represented groups.

STEM occupations tend to have higher salaries than the average. In 2023, the median annual wage for all STEM occupations was $101,650, compared to $46,680 for non-STEM jobs, according to BLS.

But it’s important to ensure the benefits of STEM careers are better distributed across the population at large. Between 2011-2021, 65% of those employed in STEM occupations were men and about 35% were women.

Minorities are also underrepresented in STEM fields. African Americans represent 11% of all jobs and 9% of STEM jobs, while Hispanic Americans represent 17% of all jobs and only 8% of STEM jobs, according to PEW Research.

How to Bridge the STEM Skills Gap

The U.S. government understands how critical STEM education is to America’s future and has embarked on several initiatives to promote it. The U.S. National Science Foundation said it would invest $14.5 million as a set of awards to promote STEM education in two-year colleges. And the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 has provisions supporting STEM education in primary and high school. CubeSat and NASA both have STEM programs focused on satellite science, as well.

Alongside the U.S. government’s initiatives, the private sector also plays an important role. For example, Hughes – a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar – recently announced a project with the National 4-H Council designed to inspire students to explore STEM subjects.

Through the partnership, Hughesnet and National 4-H are providing STEM Challenge Kits to local 4-H, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCA locations in underserved areas. These kits use three hands-on activities to teach kids ranging from 8 to 14 important STEM concepts and problem-solving skills.

By making STEM education a core part of the American curriculum starting at a young age, the U.S. can recapture the lead in innovative technical fields and more broadly spread prosperity across the population.

(NewsUSA) - IU Students Prevail in 2024 CME Group University Trading Challenge

Indiana University secured another win as it's been named CME Group's 21st Annual University Trading Challenge winners! The rest of the top five teams are from outside the United States.

This year’s challenge saw record participation from nearly 570 teams across 180 universities, representing 24 countries. The increased participation points to a continued interest from students to learn the role of derivatives around the world.

The trading challenge brings together graduate and undergraduate students to learn, hands-on, the techniques for trading within global markets such as agriculture, energy, metals, equity indices, interest rates and foreign exchange futures through CQG, a real-time simulated electronic trading platform.

"We are extremely pleased to have had a record number of schools from around the world compete in this year’s University Trading Challenge and congratulate all the winners,” said Anita Liskey, CME Group Senior Managing Director of Global Brand Marketing and Communications. “For more than two decades, CME Group has been introducing new generations to futures markets through this immersive, hands-on and fun trading experience.”

Eligible winners will receive cash prizes. All participants in this year’s Trading Challenge were invited to attend an exclusive one-day, in-person market education event on December 9.

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group provides a wide array of risk management education services, tools and resources for learners of all levels to immerse themselves into the world of derivatives.

CME Group is committed to educating the next generation of finance professionals on the significance of its global derivatives market and risk management. CME Group also partners with other industry organizations to offer education tools such as Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource for “Futures 101.”

(NewsUSA) - Over the past three years, 25 states have expanded school choice options, and families need accessible, straightforward information on how to access these choices. As we head into another school year, many parents are grappling with an important question: will my child be at the best school for them this fall?

Choosing the right school is monumental for families, and a very different process than it was a generation ago. With a range of options – including traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional choices – parents have a lot to consider as they find the best fit for their child’s education.

A recent survey from our organization - the National School Choice Awareness Foundation - showed that 72% of parents looked into new school options for their children last year, yet 64% wanted more detailed information. Fifteen years of raising awareness about school choice options during National School Choice Week has inspired our team to create a new program called Navigate School Choice, which will serve as a hub for any family exploring any type of school.

Parents can navigate school choice at myschoolchoice.com, a new website with roadmaps to education policies in each state, tips about how to approach the school search process, and a customized school search tool. The goal is to make sure parents stay up to speed when things change in their state and are able to cast a wide net in considering schooling options for their children. With all tools available on-demand, year-round, parents can feel sure that they've fully considered all the options they have for their children and made an informed choice.

Imagine the relief of knowing you have explored all the options and found the right school for your child. It’s about more than just academics; it’s about finding a place where your child feels supported, understood, and able to grow.

Shelby Doyle is the vice president of public awareness at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, which helps U.S. families explore their K-12 education options and choose a great school for their children.

(NewsUSA) - Ongoing professional development for teachers is essential to meet the changing needs of today’s students, experts say, and further investment for teacher training is an opportunity to use remaining federal funds allotted to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the pandemic, many schools received funding through the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund, also known as ESSER; any funds yet unused must be committed by September 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 

ESSER was an unprecedented infusion of funds to schools, and using remaining ESSER money for professional learning will help teachers enhance and adapt their methods to meet the needs of today’s students, according to experts at Discovery Education, one of the leading providers of educational technology and professional learning to educators. 

“Times change, and the classrooms of today demand new strategies for teaching and learning. Investments in professional learning are investments in the future, as participating educators will learn new ways to help this generation of learners prepare for success beyond graduation,” says Dr. Karen Beerer, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at Discovery Education. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools invested in educational technology to keep students learning in a remote environment. Although in-person learning has resumed, taking advantage of funding to enhance teacher training yields long-term benefits and helps school systems increase their return on pandemic resource investments, Dr. Beerer adds.  

Discovery Education’s professional learning supports teachers’ ongoing development and helps them make continuous improvements to their classroom instruction throughout their teaching careers. This helps them make better use of online resources that are designed to help teachers nurture curiosity and improve student engagement. 

“We know that learning opportunities for each educator will enhance learning opportunities for each student,” Dr. Beerer says. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s professional development, visit discoveryeducation.com/solutions/professional-learning/. 

(NewsUSA) - Development Program

New Partnership Offers HVAC Training in Spanish

The US Census Bureau reports that approximately 20% of the US population is Hispanic and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 30% of construction workers are Hispanic.  As baby boomers reach retirement age, Latino workers play an increasingly crucial role in keeping the dynamism of the US labor market and for many of them, having options to education in their native language is critical for developing skills that make them employable.

Since its inception in 2010, Centro Educativo Latino at Lenoir Community College (LCC), in Lenoir County, North Carolina, has become a cornerstone for the Hispanic community, offering over 70 Spanish-language workforce development courses in high-demand trades. 

Carlos Cotto, the Director of Centro Educativo Latino and LCC's Associate Dean of Workforce Development and Latino Programs began his mission to help more Latinos feel welcomed at the college, turning access into more economic opportunities in the state.

“It's sad to say, but the Latino population has never had access to a good, higher education….. they’d be taught at churches, libraries, or a little trailer on the side of the college campus. My intention with CEL was to create a college within a college welcoming the underserved population in their native language.”

A One-of-a-Kind HVAC Program

Recently Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, joined forces with LCC to advance the mission of Centro Educativo Latino, its workforce development program, and increase access to the nation’s first North American Technician Excellence (NATE) HVAC certification hybrid program in Spanish. 

The integration of Interplay’s trades training has elevated the impact of its 200+ hour associate degree program, incorporating online courses and the latest in 3D simulation and VR training technology, presented entirely in Spanish.   

Along with its catalog of online courses, the VR training provided by Interplay is also available to students through the school’s VR headsets, which they cast onto screens during weekend labs, creating a field-like virtual reality environment that enhances safety, engagement and hands-on learning experiences. This dynamic approach puts theory into practice, addressing language barriers and caters to diverse learning styles.  Students get hands-on practice with a wide variety of scenarios and equipment types in a safe, no-fail environment.  

A Model for Equitable Education

This approach to learning marks a tide change in technical education, bridging the gap between theory and practice with innovative opportunities once typically reserved for English-led trade programs.  

Cotto says, "This partnership with Interplay Learning is a significant step forward in providing our students with courses that reinforce NATE and offer the best cutting-edge 3D simulation and VR training in their native language. This comprehensive education ensures they are industry-certified and just as prepared for the demands of rewarding careers and entrepreneurship as their Anglo peers."

Centro Educativo Latino extends its commitment beyond linguistic accessibility by providing an affordable and flexible hybrid model of HVAC instruction, blending Interplay’s online coursework and in-person labs. 

The program addresses the needs of parents and individuals working full-time by offering four hands-on weekend classes, serving approximately 120 students. A sliding-scale pricing model, supported by generous scholarships like Train the East, ensures that education remains financially accessible, reducing student fees to about 3% of comparative state-funded programs. The in-demand program reaches 29 surrounding counties, with its popularity drawing students who travel from out-of-state to participate in the always-full program. Cotto breaks down the costs,

"Our HVAC program adds up to about 240 hours of online and in-person instruction and costs about 3% of the cost of similar state-funded programs. We provide all tools and materials at no extra cost, plus access to college, state, and NATE certifications, ensuring comprehensive value for our students.”

88% of students willingly drive up to 2.5 hours for this program, underlining the dedication and enthusiasm for this valuable educational opportunity. Additionally, the hybrid instructional model has acted as supplemental support for program instructors, enabling their main HVAC instructor, Henry Perez, to expand his mentorship and impact to more students. This past year, Perez received an award for one of HVAC Excellence’s top 25 Most Influential Instructors for 2024. 

Program Outcomes 

Steady Enrollment 

The popular program has continued to attract students from surrounding counties and out-of-state, with enrollment holding steady at 30 students per class. With four classes per weekend, the program averages about 120 students per semester.

Industry-Certified Graduates

99% of students graduate from the program, with 100% obtaining their NATE Core Certification and state EPA, along with various Interplay certifications across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, enhancing their employability and career prospects. 

Strategic Partnerships and Entrepreneurship

The program has established strong relationships with local employers who value the skills and certifications of Centro Educativo Latino graduates, leading to 100% of grads going on to work in the trades. Cotto is particularly proud to share the story of two young women who recently completed the program with honors and are now enjoying a better socioeconomic standard of living, boasting newly attained annual salaries starting at $62,000 a year.  

Cotto explains, “When students show up to local employers with three community college certificates, NATE, the State EPA certification, and a portfolio of about 34 Interplay HVAC certificates, the employer says to us, ‘We need more of these people.’ So we stay well-connected and funnel our students into the workforce when they meet employers' qualifications.”

Cotto also weaves in classes in entrepreneurship to prepare students to start their own trade businesses, which 75-80% of students completing the program have gone on to do. 

“For the longest time, the Latino community never had a place to go for higher education in the skilled trades,” notes Carlos Cotto, director of Centro Educativo Latino and LCC’s associate dean of workforce development and Latino programs. “This partnership with Interplay Learning is a significant step forward in providing our students with comprehensive, cutting-edge 3D simulation and VR training in their native language, ensuring they are industry-certified and well-prepared for the demands of rewarding careers and entrepreneurship.”

The collaboration between LCC and Interplay Learning empowers more individuals within the Latino community to access and excel in trades education. Not only is the program opening doors to new economic opportunities, but it's fostering a more skilled and diverse workforce.

“Empowering the Latino community through accessible trades education aligns seamlessly with our mission,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder of Interplay Learning. “We believe in the transformative power of education and technology, and this collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workforce.'”

About Centro Educativo Latino 

With a mission to bridge gaps and empower Hispanic individuals, the Centro Educativo Latino at Lenoir Community College is a pivotal resource for the Spanish-speaking community, offering quality education in their native language.  The program provides Spanish-language courses in workforce development fields like HVAC, welding, and cosmetology, along with ESL classes. Serving over 2,000 students in the last two years significantly increased Latino enrollment at the college, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This initiative underscores Lenoir Community College’s dedication to inclusivity and creating educational opportunities for diverse student populations.

About Interplay Learning

Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades. Interplay’s acclaimed SkillMill training platform enables rapid upskilling and empowers new technicians to be job-ready within weeks, not years. Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, SkillMill is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives. 

Recent accolades include Forbes’ 2023 America’s Best Startup Employers, 2022 Inc. 5000 list, 2022 Inc. Best in Business list, and three honorable mentions in Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Visit www.interplaylearning.com to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - March is National Reading Month, and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program continues its commitment to helping children “Unplug and March into Reading” by placing books into the hands of less fortunate children and encouraging families to unplug from their screens and electronic devices and enjoy a book together!

Literacy is the foundation for success in life, and it starts with early access to books in childhood.  Unfortunately, children in low-income families have very limited access to age-appropriate books.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program was established in 2008 as a year-round effort to offer our Nation’s most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively. “This Program not only brings the joy of reading to these children, but it also serves as an important tool in breaking the cycle of poverty,” says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Our goal is to dramatically change the landscape for less fortunate children and provide books and educational resources to ensure their future success,” he adds.

Since its founding, the Program has delivered more than 53 million books to children in low-income communities and Title I funded schools across the United States. Last year, the Program delivered a record number of over 6.3 million books to disadvantaged children—breaking the cycle of poverty one book at a time.

Most people know Toys for Tots as the organization that brings holiday cheer to children in need with gifts of new toys, but Toys for Tots remains committed to the welfare of children throughout the year with initiatives such as the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. One hundred percent of each dollar donated goes toward purchasing books for economically disadvantaged children.

“By getting books into the hands of less fortunate students, teachers, and families, we are helping children become their best selves,” LtGen Laster emphasizes. Children who have developed strong reading skills perform better in school and have a healthier self-image and a stronger sense of well-being.

All children can improve their reading comprehension skills by unplugging from screens and reading books themselves, playing word games, and reading aloud with family members. Unplug and March into reading with family, peers, or get lost in a book by yourself—and consider making a donation to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program to bring the transformative power of reading to all children.

Visit toysfortots.org for more information about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and to donate.

(NewsUSA) - Financial planning can help you reach your goals in life. It is also a profession that offers rewarding, flexible careers. These careers provide many benefits, including work-life balance, growth potential and the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Financial planners who go on to earn professional certifications may enjoy even greater benefits. Becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TMprofessional, for example, shows potential clients and employers that you have met extensive training and experience requirements and are committed to high ethical and professional standards. CFP^® professionals consistently say their certification gives them a competitive edge over other advisors, increases their credibility with clients and boosts their income and career satisfaction.

If you decide to become a CFP^® professional, you must complete the following four requirements:

• Education: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete a financial planning program that has been approved by CFP Board. If you have an advanced degree or hold other professional designations, you may be able to skip some of these coursework requirements.

• Exam: Once you’ve completed the education requirement, you are ready to take the CFP^® exam. This comprehensive exam tests your ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills over factual recall or recognition. It covers the financial planning process, risk management and insurance, and other important topics.

• Experience: You must also complete at least two to three years of financial planning experience to qualify for CFP^® certification. This experience may be gained through a professional position or an apprenticeship, and it may be completed either before or after you pass the CFP^® exam. You can earn qualifying experience in several ways, from engaging with clients directly to supporting the financial planning process to teaching financial planning-related courses.

• Ethics: All CFP^® professionals commit to CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, meaning they agree to adhere to high ethical and professional standards for the practice of financial planning. Importantly, the Code and Standards include a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary — that is, to put their clients’ best interests first — when providing financial advice. You will also need to disclose information about your background, as CFP Board will conduct a detailed background check.

Visit CFP.net to learn more about these requirements and how to get started.

The path to CFP^® certification is a rigorous process, but it provides you with the knowledge and skills you need for a fulfilling financial planning career.

(NewsUSA) - Underage drinking levels are at historic lows, and one way to continue this trend is to prevent teens’ access to alcohol. The We Don’t Serve Teens campaign, first developed in 2006, is a community-level collaboration of alcohol suppliers, retailers and distributors working with parents and prevention groups to curb underage drinking.     

Today, participating groups and organizations are voicing their commitment to the campaign and its important message that debuts a refreshed look and feel that is digitally modern, culturally inclusive and demographically diverse.     

The We Don’t Serve Teens campaign takes a united stance throughout communities nationwide: “Don’t serve alcohol to teens. It’s unsafe. It’s illegal. It’s irresponsible.” Partners are encouraged to post messages against underage drinking in stores and restaurants, engage with the campaign online, hear messages on the radio and even include information on food and beverage delivery receipts. The materials will also serve as a reminder for families to have conversations at home about expectations, values and practice saying NO to underage drinking.     

“Underage drinking has declined dramatically but remains a safety issue for teens that is often overlooked, disregarded, or takes a backseat to more pressing concerns,” says Chris Swonger, President and CEO of Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org. “The We Don’t Serve Teens campaign brings a critical mass of public and private entities together to spotlight underage drinking prevention. We have made a lot of progress over the years and fewer teens are drinking alcohol. By working together, we hope to make even more progress on this important issue.”     

In 1991, 80% of American teens had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime, but today, more than three out of five teens (64%) have never consumed alcohol (Monitoring the Future, 2021). Although this trend is positive, challenges to ending underage drinking remain. The availability of alcohol to those under the legal drinking age remains high with eight out of 10 high-school seniors reporting that it is easy for them to access alcohol. Working together, significant strides have been made in reducing underage drinking, but until it is eliminated, there is still work to be done, according to Responsibility.org.     

“No retailer wants to sell alcohol to someone who is underage,” says John Bodnovich, Executive Director, American Beverage Licensees. “Retailers are on the front lines in communities across the country -- we are proud to once again lead the effort to prevent underage drinking. We look forward to working with community partners as well as industry partners to keep alcohol out of teens’ hands and stop underage drinking. Responsibility starts with us.”      

Visit WeDontServeTeens.org for more information or to participate in the campaign.

It's the seventh annual National School Choice Week, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical awareness event that has grown considerably every year - it's up from 21,000 last year and 150 events in its first year.

So who are the people leading the celebrations?

Some are parents who put themselves in the driver's seat of their children's education. They considered their children's unique needs, learning styles, and interests. They looked at the available options - traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, homeschooling, online schools, or a combination of these options - and chose the education environments they considered best for their children.

Some tracked down publicly or privately funded scholarships; others checked waitlists; and many others decided that their local school was, in fact, the best fit for their children.

Some event organizers are teachers and school leaders, happy to be playing such a crucial role in the education and development of children across America. Different schools offer different curricula, different approaches to education, different perspectives - and this diversity is worth celebrating. Every child is unique; every family is unique. Children who are excited about violin or Mandarin, children who need an extra lift in a particular area, children who thrive in traditional classrooms and children who don't - everyone should be given an opportunity to excel in whatever way best suits them. And great teachers and school leaders are an essential part of that excellence.

Some events are planned by community leaders hoping to help even more children have the opportunity to reach their full academic potential by creating new paths and raising awareness about the importance of continually expanding access to effective education options for children and families.

The participants in National School Choice Week may all be different, with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and stories. But they all believe one thing: that every child, given the right environment, can succeed. No matter what school your family has chosen, National School Choice Week provides an opportunity to celebrate students and the hope of a bright future for our whole nation.