North Carolina parents and students deserve options when it comes to education.

School choice is a powerful yet simple process that gives parents the freedom to maximize educational opportunities for their children. Educational freedom recognizes individual needs and allows families to choose from a wide variety of options that best suit their children’s specific learning needs, unrestricted by circumstance or zip code.

This National School Choice Week, we bring attention to the hugely popular school choice option in American education, which gives parents the agency to make their voices heard and the power to shape the educational future of their children.

After two years of unprecedented challenges to our education system, school choice offers parents more control over their child’s education. School choice encourages parents to push back against harmful policies, lackluster or inappropriate curricula, or remove their children from unsafe environments.

Whether you choose traditional district public schools, private schools, public charter schools, online schools, or home schooling, every parent should take an active role in directing their children’s education. Research has repeatedly shown that school choice significantly improves academic achievement, reduces crime, and helps students graduate from high school and enroll in college.

Last year, our country saw a record number of states adopt or expand school choice, and it’s easy to see why. According to a June 2021 poll, 74% of American voters from all political backgrounds support the school choice, including 70% Democrats and 83% Republicans. More than half of American parents have considered enrolling their children in another school in the past year or are currently considering alternative education options.

Just recently, the American Federation for Children conducted 21 different studies examining the link between school choice and academic achievement. The results were remarkable, as 20 of the 21 studies demonstrated improved academic outcomes from public schools with school choice.

Opportunity gaps in education can quickly turn into broader achievement gaps that can put students back on the path to success. School choice is especially important for low-income and minority students, who can benefit from incredible academic opportunities through school choice without regional constraints. No child should be deprived of their rights in their learning environment. There is no doubt that better schools give parents the ability to maximize student learning and opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored that there is no single model of learning that works for all students. Education is not unique, and it is our responsibility to promote policies that expand school choice to give American students more opportunities to thrive.

Every child in Eastern North Carolina learns differently, and every child has different learning needs based on their talents, interests, and challenges. Some children may excel at a local public school, while others may find a better fit in a private or home learning environment. No matter where your children receive their education, the choice of school should make all parents optimistic about the future of specialized learning in America.

As a parent, I have always said that the best thing we can give our children is our love, our faith and a good education. All children deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment that allows them to reach their true potential. For tips on choosing the right school for your child, visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

U.S. Representative Greg Murphy represents North Carolina’s 3rd congressional district. He has been a practicing physician for more than 30 years, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and vice chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus.