[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E635-E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING A NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2000

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 310, 
supporting a National Charter Schools Week. I commend my distinguished 
colleague from Indiana, Mr. Roemer, for highlighting the charter school 
movement and urging the Congress and the Administration to demonstrate 
support for our nation's charter schools.
  Mr. Speaker, from 1989 to 1999, the number of students enrolled in 
public schools increased by 6.7 million, and the U.S. Census projects 
that our nation's school-age population will continue to grow 
throughout the century. In fact, many states have seen double-digit 
increases in school-age population. As

[[Page E636]]

this population continues to grow, our commitment to finding new and 
innovative ways to meet the changing needs of educating our youth needs 
to grow as well.
  Charter schools offer our communities the ability to enroll their 
children in schools that enjoy autonomy over its operation and freedom 
from regulations that other public schools must follow, but also are 
held accountable for improving student achievement. Nearly two-thirds 
of newly created charter schools seek to realize an alternative vision 
of schooling, and one-fourth were founded primarily to serve a special 
target population. Many charter schools also serve a large number of 
lower income students, minority populations and students with 
disabilities.
  Not only does this resolution acknowledge the charter school 
movement's progress and future promise, but it also encourages the 
President to issue a proclamation to demonstrate support for charter 
schools and establishes a National Charter Schools Week. Our nation's 
1700 charter schools and the 350,000 students who attend them deserve 
our support and recognition. I want to thank Mr. Roemer for his 
continued leadership on this important education issue and your 
dedication to providing flexibility to our nation's schools.

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