SCR116 - National School Choice Week.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 116 Introduced by Senator Alvarado-Gil (Coauthors: Senators Choi, Jones, Ochoa Bogh, Seyarto, and Valladares) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis and Hadwick) February 02, 2026 Relative to National School Choice Week. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 116, as introduced, Alvarado-Gil. National School Choice Week. This measure would designate the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as National School Choice Week. Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill Text WHEREAS, The California Constitution requires the Legislature to encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral, and agricultural improvement; and WHEREAS, Excellence in education is a primary goal of the state and is essential to preparing pupils for civic participation, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning; and WHEREAS, The state’s pupil body is one of the most diverse in the world, encompassing urban, suburban, rural, and agricultural communities, and, therefore, requires a diverse educational system; and WHEREAS, The state’s public education system includes a variety of instructional models, including traditional public schools, charter schools, and nonclassroom-based programs designed to serve diverse pupil needs; and WHEREAS, A pupil’s residence or geographic location should not determine the quality of that pupil’s education; and WHEREAS, All pupils in the state, regardless of background, should have access to high-quality schools that meet their individual educational needs; and WHEREAS, School choice programs provide pupils and parents with access to high-quality schools and instructional models; and WHEREAS, Parents and taxpayers who support the public education system should have meaningful options to choose the school that best serves their children; and WHEREAS, School choice encourages parental engagement and strengthens partnerships between families, schools, and local communities; and WHEREAS, School choice is particularly important for low-income families and families in rural or geographically isolated areas who may have limited educational options; and WHEREAS, The state recognizes the many dedicated teaching professionals in public and nonpublic schools who are committed to educating the state’s pupils; and WHEREAS, The state has long embraced educational choice in the provision of higher education through a variety of public and independent institutions; and WHEREAS, Parents, pupils, and educators throughout the nation annually recognize the importance of educational opportunity and effective school options for all children; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as National School Choice Week; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.