National Charter Schools Week, 2011

Proclamation 8664 of April 29, 2011

National Charter Schools Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In communities across our country, successful public
charter schools help put children on the path to
academic excellence by harnessing the power of new
ideas, ground-breaking strategies, and the collective
involvement of students, parents, teachers, and
administrators. During National Charter Schools Week,
we recognize these institutions of learning and renew
our commitment to preparing our children with the
knowledge and skills they will need to compete in the
21st century.

The unique flexibility afforded to charter schools
places them at the forefront of innovation and in a
unique position to spark a dialogue with other public
schools on how to organize teaching and learning and
enhance curricula. As part of our strategy for
strengthening public education, my Administration has
supported charter schools and rewarded successful
innovation, encouraging States to improve their laws
and policies so students can thrive.

Equally important to a world-class education system are
actions taken by charter school authorizers and the
charter community itself to strengthen effectiveness
and deliver results that improve educational outcomes.
My Administration will continue to encourage meaningful
accountability, including closure of low-performing
charter schools and replication of advances and reforms
made at high-performing charter schools.

In order to win the global competition for new jobs and
industries, we must win the global competition to
educate our children. At their best, charter schools
provide us with an opportunity to meet this challenge
and produce the next generation of great American
leaders.

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 May 1 through May 7,
2011, as National Charter School Week. I commend our
Nation's charter schools, teachers, and administrators,
and I call on States and communities to support charter
schools and the students they serve.

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