[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4230-H4232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS TO
EDUCATION
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 344) congratulating charter
schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrars across
the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 344
Whereas charter schools deliver high-quality education and
challenge our students to reach their potential;
[[Page H4231]]
Whereas charter schools provide thousands of families with
diverse and innovative educational options for their
children;
Whereas charter schools are public schools authorized by a
designated public entity that are responding to the needs of
our communities, families, and students and promoting the
principles of quality, choice, and innovation;
Whereas in exchange for the flexibility and autonomy given
to charter schools, they are held accountable by their
sponsors for improving student achievement and for their
financial and other operations;
Whereas 40 States and the District of Columbia have passed
laws authorizing charter schools;
Whereas charter schools improve their students' achievement
and stimulate improvement in traditional public schools;
Whereas charter schools must meet the student achievement
accountability requirements under the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 in the same manner as
traditional public schools, and often set higher and
additional individual goals to ensure that they are of high
quality and truly accountable to the public;
Whereas charter schools give parents new freedom to choose
their public school, routinely measure parental satisfaction
levels, and must prove their ongoing success to parents,
policymakers, and their communities;
Whereas charter schools nationwide serve a higher
percentage of low-income and minority students than the
traditional public system;
Whereas charter schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan
support from the Administration, Congress, State Governors
and legislatures, educators, and parents across the United
States; and
Whereas the eighth annual National Charter Schools Week, to
be held April 29 through May 5, 2007, is an event sponsored
by charter schools and grassroots charter school
organizations across the United States to recognize the
significant impacts, achievements, and innovations of charter
schools: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) acknowledges and commends charter schools and their
students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the
United States for their ongoing contributions to education
and improving and strengthening our public school system;
(2) supports the eighth annual National Charter Schools
Week; and
(3) joins the President in calling on the people of the
United States to conduct appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities to demonstrate support for charter schools
during this weeklong celebration in communities throughout
the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. McCarthy) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Platts) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative
days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 344
into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
(Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr.
Boustany for introducing this resolution to honor National Charter
School Week. He has been the sponsor of this resolution for the past 3
years, and we appreciate his leadership on this issue.
Charter schools across the country are marking this occasion by
opening their doors to the community and inviting them to learn about
the role of charter schools in public education. With over 3,600
charter schools educating nearly 1.1 million children, charter schools
have changed the landscape of public education. Almost 250 schools are
created each year. Committed parents and students and community leaders
have led the way, creating charter schools to meet the needs of the
local community.
Charter schools are free from regulations but not accountability.
There are model charter schools that are producing good outcomes for
their students. The public school system in this country continues to
generate innovative strategies for educating all children. Quality
charter schools represent one model for this innovation.
On the occasion of National Charter School Week, I want to commend
the 90,000 public schools in this country that are working hard to
provide opportunity for children across the country. I urge my
colleagues to support our Nation's charter schools and to vote for this
resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my
friend and colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany).
Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania
for yielding time to me.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 344,
congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers,
and administrars across the United States for their ongoing
contributions to educational excellence.
Charter schools are public schools that are created by teachers,
parents, and other members of the community as innovative means to
educate students and to stimulate reform in the public school system.
As public schools, they must serve students from all backgrounds and
educational abilities.
In exchange for greater accountability for student achievements,
these schools are exempt from many local and State regulations.
Grassroots support for charter schools continues to grow, from one
school in the 1992-1993 school year, to over 4,000 schools serving over
1 million students in the 2006-2007 school year.
{time} 1415
The demand is simply remarkable. The charter model itself is playing
a critical role in these schools' success. Its flexibility and
accountability are allowing individuals with nontraditional backgrounds
and relentless attitudes to create high achievement cultures. These
charter schools are setting new standards about what's possible and
about what we should expect from all our public schools. Indeed,
charter schools are shattering low expectations and breaking through
long standing barriers that have prevented large numbers of at-risk
students from achieving educational success.
Charter schools are usually among the top performers in big city
school districts and often rival the highest performing schools in
surrounding suburban districts. These high performers are setting
important examples about what public schools can achieve with
disadvantaged students.
More and more data indicates that charter schools deliver promising
results for student achievement. In an analysis of almost three dozen
charter school studies, a vast majority found that overall gains in
charter schools were larger than in other public schools, sometimes in
certain significant categories of schools such as elementary schools,
high schools or schools serving at risk students.
Yet, even with these outstanding results, of the 40 States that have
passed charter school laws, 25 States and the District of Columbia have
some type of legislative cap on charter school growth. These caps serve
as blunt instruments that do not lead to high quality schools. Instead
of stifling growth, States should focus on providing the resources,
oversight and accountability that helps charter schools thrive.
We know what produces high quality charter schools--dedicated
students, parents, teachers and principals, rigorous approval
processes, conscientious oversight and sufficient resources, including
facilities funding. We should work to replicate these models of best
practices and apply them to local school districts throughout the
country.
It is my hope that the charter community will continue to build on
its 15-year history of providing a high quality option in public
education that is based on innovation, freedom from red tape, and
partnership between parents and educators, an option that is giving new
hope to disadvantaged and minority families across the country.
I also appreciate the contribution charter schools have made in
ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen my home State of Louisiana
after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, particularly in New Orleans.
For these reasons, it is my honor to congratulate charter schools and
their students, parents, teachers and administrars across the United
States for their ongoing contributions to education, as well as
recognizing this week as National Charter School Week. I commend
President Bush for his recent
[[Page H4232]]
proclamation, ``recognizing the important contributions of charter
schools,'' as well as my good friends and colleagues, Mr. Platts and
Mrs. McCarthy for bringing this resolution to the floor.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2
minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Chris
Murphy.
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from
New York and the gentlemen from Pennsylvania and Louisiana for bringing
this resolution before us.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution to
recognize the contributions of charter schools to education. So often
we talk about the crisis of America's schools and our educational
system, but it's equally important to take some time to recognize the
good that's being done. That's why I welcome this opportunity to
acknowledge the impact that charter schools are making in our education
system nationally.
In congratulating charter schools, I want to also acknowledge the
work of all of our administrators and our educators in our public
school system and our public charter school system as well. Noncharter
public schools remain the bedrock of our educational system, and we
need to make sure that we are doing everything here in Congress and at
our State level to make sure that our public schools have the
opportunity to succeed.
But charter schools are growing because, when done right, they're
working. They represent a network of committed and innovative
administrators, teachers and parents whose great determination and
resolve complement the public education system. This national network
of 4,000 charter schools infuses hope and possibility into communities.
In Connecticut alone, there are 16 charter schools educating over 2,500
students.
Charter schools are infused with an imagination. Moreover, these
schools are effectively engaging students around innovative and
aggressive curriculum. They are setting the bar high and they are
getting results. As we consider solutions for improving math and
science education and increasing the number of high school graduates
and students matriculating to colleges and university, we should
remember the contributions that charter schools are making to the
education of our Nation's children.
Again, Madam Speaker, I commend the tremendous dedication of all
educators. Their unsung sacrifices are critical to ensuring the success
of America's youth today and the skill of tomorrow's workforce.
I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support House Resolution
344, congratulating charter schools and their students, parents,
teachers and administrators across the United States for their ongoing
contributions to education.
Charter schools are innovative public schools with a simple interest
in providing a quality education to children in their communities. They
explore new educational approaches, such as longer school days or
extended school years, and are free from most rules and regulations
governing conventional public schools.
These schools meet the student achievement and accountability
requirements under No Child Left Behind in the same manner as
traditional public schools and they often set higher individual goals
to ensure that they are of high quality.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues from New York,
Louisiana, Connecticut, elsewhere around the country in recognizing
these innovative public schools, and I am proud to recognize this week
as National Charter Schools Week.
I commend President Bush for his recent proclamation stating, quote,
``recognizing the important contributions of charter schools,'' as well
on the executive branch side; and again urge a ``yes'' vote for this
resolution.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, again, I would like to
thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany) for introducing this
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 344.
As you can tell, today we have been talking about the children of
this Nation on so many of our different issues. And again, I am very
happy to work with my colleague on the committee, Mr. Platts from
Pennsylvania.
When we talk about our children and the future of the Nation,
obviously, education is the most important thing. So, again, it has
been a pleasure introducing these resolutions.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate charter schools
I want to recognize the Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS)
operating in my Congressional District. The Youth Connection Charter
School (YCCS) has a unique mission and purpose. It has been said that
education is the great equalizer--it is the key to success.
The mission of YCCS is to provide individuals who have dropped out of
school an opportunity--to drop back in and receive a quality education.
Since its creation in 1997, YCCS has graduated more than 5,700 students
who had previously dropped out of traditional high schools. Just think,
what would have happened to those students if YCCS was not available to
them. They likely would have become another statistic.
Clearly, the data shows that students who drop out are more likely to
be unemployed. In fact, the unemployment rate nationally for high
school drop-outs was 29.8 percent in 200. (Dept. of Labor). We know
that students who drop out are more likely to be candidates for
prisons. A total of 75 percent of America's state prison inmates are
high shool drop-outs, with only 59 percent of America's federal prison
inmates completing high school (Harlow, 2003). We also know that high
school drop-outs are more likely to be receiving public assistance and
living in poverty. These negative consequences lead to the destruction
of a community and country. Students who drop out are less likely to be
married or see a doctor on a regular basis. The benefits of a high
school education move society forward economically and socially. A
person with a high school diploma is more likely to be employed, live
longer, and become a productive part of society.
The impact of YCCS and its involvement as the only charter school in
Illinois providing alternative educational services focused primarily
on drop-outs can be seen throughout education. In 2005, YCCS placed in
the upper third for school performance in reading by CPS in comparison
to all of the other 76 high schools in the city of Chlcago.
Conversely, we know that a quality education opens the doors of
opportunity and provides hope for a brighter future. An investment in
the education of young people who have dropped out of school saves our
city and state taxpayers' money. The Alliance for Excellent Education
reports that a 1 percent increase in high school gradution rates would
save approximately $1.4 billion in incarceration costs yearly.
Additionally, a 1-year incease in average education levels would reduce
arrest rates by 11 percent.
I am pleased to honor the outstanding work of the Youth Connection
Charter School.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 344.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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