[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK

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                               speech of

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 2009

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 382, which 
supports the goals and ideals of National Charter School Week.
  I know very well the great importance of charter schools in public 
education today as I helped establish one of America's first charter 
schools, the New Heights Charter School in Stillwater, Minnesota in 
1993. This school is not only continuing its success today but has 
driven the establishment of other charter schools. And, today, children 
are educated at almost 3000 charter schools across the United States.
  With so many new charter schools opening since these past two 
decades, it is clear that these schools fulfill a real need for 
parents, students, and teachers alike. These schools are held 
accountable for the progress of their students and they continue to 
thrive because their students perform so well.
  Charter schools hold great importance in our educational system 
because they give parents options. They allow parents to choose from a 
variety of institutions to find the environment that will best help 
them succeed. The traditional public school is not always the right fit 
for every child. Because of charter schools, not only children from 
families with means have choices. Charter schools give underprivileged 
families choices that they might not otherwise have.
  Madam Speaker, charter schools have set students and teachers on a 
path to achieve their goals and are an integral part in our constant 
efforts to improve education in the United States.

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