American Education Week, 2012

Proclamation 8904 of November 9, 2012

American Education Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All children deserve access to a world-class education
and the chance to pursue their dreams. Our schools are
a gateway to those opportunities and the key to our
Nation's economic prosperity and civic life. This week,
we reaffirm our national mission of educating our
students and training our workers better than any other
country on earth.

My Administration is committed to enhancing American
education by raising standards, making higher education
more affordable, and preparing students for high-skill
jobs and civic participation. We launched Race to the
Top--the most meaningful reform for our public schools
in a generation--to invest in innovative State plans
that support and improve teacher effectiveness and
student achievement. We reconfigured the student loan
program to eliminate wasteful subsidies to banks and
put students' needs first, increasing financial aid for
millions of young people. We also invested in training
programs that partner community colleges with high-
growth industries--making it possible for young
Americans to graduate into the workforce equipped for
success.

Each of us has a role to play in helping our students
thrive. Dedicated teachers, administrators, and other
education professionals work tirelessly on behalf of
America's young people. Outside of the classroom,
parents, mentors, community leaders, local businesses,
and public institutions help foster a love of learning
in our students, sparking creativity, instilling a
positive work ethic, and giving our children the tools
needed to realize their full potential.

America is a country where no matter what you look like
or where you come from, if you are willing to work
hard, you can go as far as your talents will take you.
During American Education Week, we recommit to keeping
the promise of education alive for this generation and
the next, because when we give our children the best
chance to succeed, there is no telling what they might
accomplish.

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 11 to
November 17, 2012, 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
ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.