Hundreds of students, parents and teachers in yellow scarves gathered near the Capitol in Carson City to show their support for school choice measures.
The rally, Wednesday, in an outdoor amphitheater was one of dozens of events across the state marking National School Choice Week.
Carrie Buck is the Principal for Pine Crest Academy, in Henderson. She says it is important that people realize there are options for their children's education.
"There's not just a 'one size fits all' approach to education any longer," Buck said. "It's whatever is best for each child."
School choice proponents say parents should have the option and financial support to pick a charter school, private school or home school setting if they're not satisfied with traditional public schools. Charter schools are publicly funded on a per-pupil basis, but facilities and start-up costs aren't usually included. Proponents say they want the schools to be funded equitably.
"So many people don't realize that some of the funding that goes to public schools doesn't come to charter schools," Blaine Spires, Principal of Silver State Charter Schools said. "So, it would be really great if legislators could focus on the specific funding for charter schools."
Governor Brian Sandoval's proposed budget includes $20 million in matching funding for charter schools. Many Republican lawmakers campaigned on expanding school choice legislation. Assemblyman Pat Hickey is one of the original sponsors of 1997 legislation that created charter schools in the Silver State.
 "Choices are important to all of us, in life, and it creates competition, which raises the level of all schools," Hickey, (R) Reno said.
Some Democrats have expressed skepticism about the push, saying some school choice options siphon funds away from cash-strapped public schools. Â
Katie Dahl has two kids that attend Oasis Academy, in Fallon. She says it's important that students have options, especially in rural communities that don't offer private schools. Some charter schools prepare students for work in trades, after high school. Others focus on advanced curriculum.
"It's awesome to see that," Dahl said. "To see kids that were just skating by, all the sudden they're in this really challenging curriculum and they're rising to the expectation and they love it."
(The Associated Press also contributed to this report.)
