49 Million Students Still Lack School Choice

Forced to attend the public schools if they can't afford private tuition on top of taxes

Gillian and Emma are among the 255,000 students nationwide who attend a private school of their family's choice using vouchers or tax-credit scholarships. Another 2.3 million students utilize public charter schools as their preferred option.

But there are still almost 49 million public school students throughout the country who do not have such freedom. They must attend their neighborhood public school regardless of its safety, quality, class sizes, teaching staff, or other issues outside their parents' control. But such restriction doesn't have to be the case.

Sunday marks the beginning of the third annual National School Choice Week, which runs through Feb. 2. There will be 3,000 events across 50 states including rallies and forums where parents will ask lawmakers for more choices for their kids.