National Charter Schools Week, 2008

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8251 of May 2, 2008

National Charter Schools Week, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Education is the cornerstone of a hopeful tomorrow.
During National Charter Schools Week, we highlight the
contributions of charter schools to ensuring that our
Nation's future leaders have the skills and knowledge
necessary for a lifetime of achievement.

Charter schools are educational alternatives that
empower families with additional choices for their
children. By providing flexibility to educators while
insisting on results, charter schools are helping
foster a culture of educational innovation,
accountability, and excellence. Charter schools also
encourage parental involvement and help contribute to
the national effort to close the achievement gap.

The No Child Left Behind Act has played a central role
in America's efforts to improve our public schools and
expand the opportunities available to our children. In
2007, American students reached record achievement
levels on reading and math tests, and the achievement
gap is beginning to close. Charter schools have been an
important part of this success. National Charter
Schools Week is an opportunity to recognize the
strength, vitality, and excellence of outstanding
schools.

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 May 4 through May 10, 2008,
as National Charter Schools Week. I applaud our
Nation's charter schools and all those who make them a
success, and I call on parents of charter school
students to share their success stories and help
Americans understand more about the important work of
charter schools.

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