American Education Week, 2014

Proclamation 9210 of November 14, 2014

American Education Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In the United States, every young person deserves
access to a world-class education. In classrooms,
lecture halls, and laboratories across America, high-
quality education helps unlock the limitless potential
of our Nation's students and creates pathways for their
success. It prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow and
the responsibilities of citizenship. A strong school
system bolsters our economy and strengthens our
democracy, and it is at the core of the American belief
that with hard work, anyone can get ahead. During
American Education Week, we celebrate the devoted
educators who instruct and inspire students of all
ages, and we continue our work to provide every person
with the best education possible.

My Administration is committed to widening the circle
of opportunity for more Americans and restoring middle-
class security, and that starts by supporting education
for all. We know early education is one of the best
investments we can make in a child's life, and that is
why we are striving to expand access to preschool to
every girl and boy in America. To spur reform in our
public schools and ensure students graduate from high
school prepared for achievement, we have directed
billions of dollars to States and school districts
through the Race to the Top initiative. My
Administration is also dedicated to reestablishing
America's place as the world leader in college
completion. We have expanded grants, tax credits, and
loans to help more families afford a college degree and
invested in programs that help students manage and
reduce the burdens of debt after they graduate.

With grit and passion, America's teachers give life to
education's promise. Our education-support
professionals help ensure the health, well-being, and
success of our children. And in small towns and large
cities, principals and district administrators
cultivate communities that value learning and share a
common vision of academic excellence. Together, these
leaders encourage our students to reach higher and
inspire them to achieve their dreams. Great educators
and administrators deserve all the tools and resources
they need to do their job, including chances for
professional development and pay that reflects the
contributions they make to our country. They are the
most critical ingredients in any school, and my
Administration is working hard to support them as they
empower our Nation's youth.

In a complex world, we must meet new and profound
challenges. As a Nation, we must prepare the next
generation to face these issues and the problems of
their own time. An education equips the leaders of
tomorrow with the knowledge and vision they need to
discover the solutions of the future and build a better
society for their children and grandchildren. This
week, we honor the teachers, mentors, and professionals
who guide our kids as they explore the world. Let us
recommit to supporting a first-class education for all
students, from the day they start preschool to the day
they start their career.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 16 through
November 22, 2014, as American Education Week. I call
upon all Americans

to observe this week by supporting their local schools
through appropriate activities, events, and programs
designed to help create opportunities for every school
and student in America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.