National Charter Schools Week, 2015

Vol. 80

Thursday,

No. 88

May 7, 2015

Part V

The President

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Proclamation 9272--National Charter Schools Week, 2015

Proclamation 9273--National Teacher Appreciation Day and National
Teacher Appreciation Week, 2015

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9272 of May 4, 2015

National Charter Schools Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In today's global economy, a high-quality education is
one of the best investments we can make in a child's
future, and it is central to the promise that in
America, where you start should not determine how far
you can go. No matter who they are or where they come
from, all children deserve the best education possible.
During National Charter Schools Week, we recognize the
role public charter schools play in providing America's
daughters and sons with a chance to reach their fullest
potential, and we recommit to strengthening our
Nation's classrooms for all.

Innovation and experimentation are essential to
bolstering our education system for the 21st century.
As independent public schools, charter schools are able
to try new models of learning and methods that
encourage academic excellence and set students on a
path to success. They are laboratories of learning and
incubators for the ideas of tomorrow, but this
flexibility comes with high standards and
accountability. When a charter school does not measure
up--when one is underperforming and not improving--we
must make the tough decision to shut it down. But when
charter schools are successful, they can help spur
systemic reform, and their approaches can be replicated
in classrooms across America. Today, especially in some
of our Nation's most disadvantaged communities,
successful charter schools are an important partner in
increasing access to a high-quality education and
closing the achievement gap.

I am dedicated to providing every child access to a
complete and competitive education, and harnessing the
power of American ingenuity has been vital to this
commitment. My Administration has challenged States to
raise education standards, improve teacher
effectiveness, and adopt new strategies to help
struggling schools. As part of this unprecedented
effort, we have expanded support for high-performing
public charter schools and given States the opportunity
to embrace new ideas that improve all our Nation's
classrooms. Our comprehensive approach to education
reform has demonstrated that innovation yields results
that benefit all students, that progress is possible,
and that a world-class education can be within reach
for all our young people. As President, I will continue
to build on this success and work to ensure all
children receive an education worthy of their
potential.

Today, our Nation's very best charter schools are
gateways to higher education and endless possibilities,
lifting up students of all backgrounds and empowering
them to achieve a brighter future. This week, we honor
the parents, educators, and civic leaders who make the
vision of charter schools a reality, and we continue
our work to safeguard the promise that an education--
one that expands horizons, challenges minds, and
inspires a new generation of thinkers, doers, and
dreamers--is within the reach of every girl and boy.

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 3 through May 9,
2015, as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our
Nation's

charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and I
call on States and communities to support high quality
public schools, including charter schools, and the
students they serve.

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