[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E310-E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2018

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
students, teachers, and communities who work together to support our 
public schools during Public Education Week.
  Our public schools are where our students come to be educated in the 
fullest sense of the word as citizens of this great country. Our 
educators strive daily to make every public school a place where we 
prepare the nation's young people to contribute to our society, economy 
and citizenry:
  Ninety percent of American children attend public schools. Lawmakers 
of every level can agree that we should all support our nation's public 
schools and empower local education leaders to manage and lead school 
districts in partnership with educators, parents, and other local 
education stakeholders and learning communities. This support includes 
recognizing how educators and our schools provide important services 
outside the classroom such as counseling, extra/co-curricular 
activities, and mental health supports that are critical to help meet 
students' needs.
  As an advocate for public education, I believe we must promote 
advancing excellence in public education, by implementing continuous 
improvement and evidence-based practices. Every child has the right to 
an education and to attend schools that offer a high quality experience 
and help them reach their full potential.
  I support predictable and adequate funding for our public schools so 
that students have classrooms and up-to-date resources as well as well-
prepared educators. Our school buildings should have manageable class 
sizes to allow teachers to provide students the attention they need to 
succeed. Furthermore, I believe that public tax dollars should support 
public schools that are accountable to parents, educators and the 
communities they serve.
  As a product of the public school system in Northwest Missouri, I 
reiterate my support for

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public education and pride in our public schools. I will continue to 
promote the promise and purpose of public education, to elevate the 
great things happening every day in our public schools, and to engage 
communities about strategies that help students succeed. I affirm my 
commitment to fight for resources and support for public schools, and 
will be steadfast in my efforts to support policies that would protect 
these values.

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