[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30533-30534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11486]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 30533]]

                Proclamation 7552 of May 2, 2002

                
National Charter Schools Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over a decade ago in Minnesota, a handful of educators 
                envisioned a new kind of educational institution that 
                would provide an alternative for children trapped in 
                under-performing public schools. Their philosophy for a 
                ``charter school'' was straightforward and powerful: 
                provide parents the option to send their children to 
                innovative public schools that combine flexibility and 
                autonomy with a guarantee to raise student achievement.

                Today, we recognize the important successes of the 
                charter school experiment. Nearly 2,400 charter schools 
                now exist across our Nation. Thanks to bipartisan 
                support at the local, State, and Federal level, more 
                than a half-million children have attended these public 
                schools and obtained a better education.

                In reading, math, science, special education, early 
                childhood education, and other areas, charter schools 
                have implemented innovative programs that produce 
                results. Charter school principals and teachers have 
                the freedom to develop classroom techniques that meet 
                their students' unique needs, and parents appreciate 
                the ability to have direct input into their children's 
                educational progress. Charter school administrators are 
                accountable to students, parents, and community 
                leaders, and they know that if their school fails to 
                meet expectations, it must either improve or close.

                The effects of charter schools extend beyond the 
                schoolhouse walls. Wherever charter schools are 
                clustered together, we see traditional schools 
                reevaluate their methods and programs. At this basic 
                level, charter schools help stimulate community debate 
                and inspire educational excellence.

                Accountability, flexibility, expanded choices, and a 
                focus on methods that work are all important elements 
                in the landmark, bipartisan, No Child Left Behind Act 
                of 2001, which I signed into law in January. This 
                legislation authorizes a new program, the Charter 
                School Facility Demonstration Project, which provides 
                important seed funding for charter school 
                infrastructure and construction needs. It also 
                continues the Charter School Grants program that 
                supports planning and development of new public charter 
                schools. Together these programs provide valuable tools 
                to American education. Now we must work together to 
                implement this new legislation in all our communities 
                so no child is left behind.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 28 through May 4, 
                2002, as National Charter Schools Week. I call on 
                parents of charter school children to share their 
                success stories with others so that all Americans may 
                learn more about charter schools and their important 
                work. I commend the States with charter schools.

[[Page 30534]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                two, and of the Independence of the United States of 
                America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-11486
Filed 5-6-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P