National Charter Schools Week, 2002

Proclamation 7552 of May 2, 2002

National Charter Schools Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Over a decade ago in Minnesota, a handful of educators
envisioned a new kind of educational institution that
would provide an alternative for children trapped in
under-performing public schools. Their philosophy for a
``charter school'' was straightforward and powerful:
provide parents the option to send their children to
innovative public schools that combine flexibility and
autonomy with a guarantee to raise student achievement.

Today, we recognize the important successes of the
charter school experiment. Nearly 2,400 charter schools
now exist across our Nation. Thanks to bipartisan
support at the local, State, and Federal level, more
than a half-million children have attended these public
schools and obtained a better education.

In reading, math, science, special education, early
childhood education, and other areas, charter schools
have implemented innovative programs that produce
results. Charter school principals and teachers have
the freedom to develop classroom techniques that meet
their students' unique needs, and parents appreciate
the ability to have direct input into their children's
educational progress. Charter school administrators are
accountable to students, parents, and community
leaders, and they know that if their school fails to
meet expectations, it must either improve or close.

The effects of charter schools extend beyond the
schoolhouse walls. Wherever charter schools are
clustered together, we see traditional schools
reevaluate their methods and programs. At this basic
level, charter schools help stimulate community debate
and inspire educational excellence.

Accountability, flexibility, expanded choices, and a
focus on methods that work are all important elements
in the landmark, bipartisan, No Child Left Behind Act
of 2001, which I signed into law in January. This
legislation authorizes a new program, the Charter
School Facility Demonstration Project, which provides
important seed funding for charter school
infrastructure and construction needs. It also
continues the Charter School Grants program that
supports planning and development of new public charter
schools. Together these programs provide valuable tools
to American education. Now we must work together to
implement this new legislation in all our communities
so no child is left behind.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim April 28 through May 4,
2002, as National Charter Schools Week. I call on
parents of charter school children to share their
success stories with others so that all Americans may
learn more about charter schools and their important
work. I commend the States with charter schools.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
two, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

(Presidential Sig.)B