[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 361-362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00220]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 361]]

                Proclamation 9837 of January 18, 2019

                
National School Choice Week, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                A great education provides students with a foundation 
                to pursue the American Dream of a hopeful and 
                prosperous future. During National School Choice Week, 
                we reaffirm our commitment to enable all students to 
                pursue the education that will best equip them for 
                success in work and life.

                Every child deserves the chance to flourish in an 
                educational environment that best leverages their 
                unique learning style, cultivates their talent, and 
                develops the skills needed to succeed in an ever-
                changing world. Likewise, teachers deserve the chance 
                to innovate in the classroom and do their best work. 
                Yet, today's system often falls short of what students 
                and teachers need and deserve, and often makes it too 
                hard for families and educators to create the best 
                learning experience for each child. The results tell 
                the unfortunate story: recent international surveys 
                ranked the United States 24th in reading, 25th in 
                science, and 40th in math. These results were not the 
                result of incapable children; they were the consequence 
                of the limitations imposed by a largely one-size-fits-
                all approach to education.

                Education should inspire wonder, stimulate curiosity, 
                and spark a lifelong desire in our children to learn 
                and grow. Increased educational options--including 
                through out-of-zone public schools, public charter 
                schools, magnet schools, sectarian and secular private 
                schools, home schools, and online education programs--
                have expanded opportunities for students regardless of 
                background or economic status. We should all work to 
                ensure all children receive great educations, 
                regardless of where they live, how much their family 
                makes, or how they best learn.

                My Administration knows that choice in education plays 
                a vital role in the success of our children and our 
                country. The number of students receiving a D.C. 
                Opportunity Scholarship has increased by nearly 50 
                percent under my Administration. In last year's 
                enactment of the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we 
                improved 529 plans so that they may cover elementary 
                and secondary school tuition. Family demand for public 
                charter schools has continued to grow. And, 
                importantly, we have encouraged States, local 
                communities, and families to refocus education policy 
                where it belongs--on what is best for each child.

                We commend our Nation's families, teachers, school 
                leaders, and all those who nobly dedicate their lives 
                to educating the next generation. My Administration 
                will continue to stand with students and their families 
                in the fight for the best educational opportunities for 
                their children.

                As our Nation celebrates National School Choice Week, I 
                encourage families to explore new educational 
                opportunities; I urge educators to develop imaginative 
                and innovative pathways to learning; and I challenge 
                students to passionately pursue their goals and dreams 
                with discipline, integrity, and unyielding 
                determination. Lastly, I urge lawmakers in Congress and 
                in the States to embrace and expand education choice, 
                which will strengthen our students, families, 
                educators, communities, and ultimately, our great 
                Nation.

[[Page 362]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim January 20 to January 
                26, 2019, as National School Choice Week.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-00220
Filed 1-24-19; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P