[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN SUPPORT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Charter 
Schools Week. In preparation for National Charter Schools Week, I 
visited a lot of charter schools that are in my district that I had not 
yet visited, and I took some time to understand what exactly they do 
that is unique and different from other charter schools.
  What I found is that a school, a curriculum, and a student body that 
was fitting in one place was very different in another charter. What I 
learned is that diversity actually delivers a better result for those 
student populations.
  There was Pinnacle Classical Academy in Shelby, North Carolina, a 
charter that utilizes a classical learning model focused on providing 
their students with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st 
Century.
  Then there was Evergreen Community Charter School in Asheville. 
Evergreen employs a holistic education model with a goal of teaching 
their students the importance of environmental stewardship and 
community service.
  Finally, this past week, I visited Mountain Island Charter School in 
Mount Holly. Mountain Island has a traditional curriculum focused on 
building the character of students and instilling a spirit for 
community within them.
  Each one of those three charter schools, as well as the others that 
are in my district and, I think, across America, have a unique learning 
environment. What I have found in these schools is that these students 
flourish in that right environment, and there is a unique environment 
for every student to find success. One student's successful environment 
is so different than another.
  While each school was different, their similarities highlight the 
benefits of charters. Each school utilizes a challenging curriculum 
that encourages not just the students, but their parents as well, to 
stay involved. That parental involvement is such an important part of 
the educational process.
  After each of these visits, it is clear that our educational system 
would hugely benefit by expanding access to charter schools. I am proud 
to cosponsor H.R. 10.
  I look forward to voting for it this week, in the hopes of giving all 
American children greater access to quality charter schools and 
educational opportunities of their choice and their parents' choice, so 
that we have a better-educated workforce and a stronger America.

                          ____________________