[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 64057-64058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25190]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 17, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 64057]]


                Proclamation 10306 of November 12, 2021

                
American Education Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                I have always believed that our children are the kite 
                strings that hold our national ambitions aloft--when we 
                invest in their education, we are investing in the 
                future of our Nation. During American Education Week, 
                which marks its 100th anniversary this year, we 
                celebrate the unparalleled power of education to lift 
                our country to new heights, and we recommit ourselves 
                to ensuring that every child in America receives a 
                quality education.

                When America made 12 years of public education standard 
                more than a century ago, it gave us the best-educated, 
                best-prepared workforce in the world--setting us on a 
                path to lead the world for the better part of the 20th 
                century. Not only is quality, equitable education the 
                engine of innovation and the fuel of a thriving 
                economy--it is also key to preserving our democracy and 
                advancing American ideals. But as the First Lady so 
                often says, any country that out-educates us will out-
                compete us. The truth is that we are no longer keeping 
                pace with other countries when it comes to investing in 
                the next generation.

                While America once led the world in educational 
                achievement, the Organization for Economic Cooperation 
                and Development now ranks us 35th out of 37 major 
                economies when it comes to investing in early childhood 
                education and care. Only about half of American 3- and 
                4-year-olds are enrolled in early childhood education--
                while in Germany, France, the UK, Latvia, and other 
                nations, that number is more than 90 percent. According 
                to one study from the Pell Institute, we now rank 12th 
                among advanced economies when it comes to the 
                percentage of our young people who have attained a 
                post-high-school degree.

                Simply put--we cannot be competitive in the 21st 
                century global economy if we do not accelerate degree 
                attainment. It is more important than ever that we 
                invest in education, particularly as schools and 
                communities are still fighting to overcome the 
                challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus has 
                called upon the extraordinary resilience of our 
                educators, school staff, students, and families, whose 
                dedicated efforts over the last 19 months have helped 
                keep millions of young people on a path to fulfillment 
                and success. Now, we must match their determination 
                with bold action to ensure that our children--and our 
                Nation--are well-positioned to lead the world in the 
                years ahead.

                To that end, my Administration provided resources 
                through the American Rescue Plan that are helping 
                schools and colleges safely return to in-person 
                instruction and meet the academic, social, emotional, 
                and financial needs of students most affected by the 
                pandemic. My budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 more 
                than doubles funding for schools that serve low-income 
                students; invests in support for students with 
                disabilities; increases Federal funding for community 
                schools tenfold; and works towards my Administration's 
                goal of doubling the number of school counselors, 
                social workers, psychologists, and nurses so that 
                teachers can focus on teaching. Finally, my 
                Administration's Build Back Better framework would make 
                transformational investments in our education system--
                including by making 2

[[Page 64058]]

                years of high-quality pre-school available to every 
                child in America. We will also make significant 
                investments in education beyond high school: We will 
                increase Pell Grants to help students from lower-income 
                families attend college and invest in Historically 
                Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving 
                Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and 
                other Minority-Serving Institutions to help ensure that 
                young people from every neighborhood have a fair shot 
                at the good-paying jobs of the future.

                In celebrating the centennial anniversary of American 
                Education Week, let us acknowledge education's power to 
                transform lives, uplift communities, and strengthen our 
                democratic society. Let us honor all those who nurture 
                our students and inspire the future leaders of our 
                great Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 November 14 
                through November 20, 2021, as American Education Week. 
                I invite all Americans to join in expressing gratitude, 
                now and throughout the year, for the educators and 
                staff of our Nation's schools and colleges, and I 
                encourage the observation of this week through 
                appropriate activities, events, and programs designed 
                to showcase engaging, high-quality education, celebrate 
                the joy of learning, and prepare students of every 
                background for success.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-25190
Filed 11-16-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P