    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [April 13, 2007]
    [Pages 413-414]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Parochial Education Leaders and Parents
    April 13, 2007

        Secretary Spellings and I have just
    had the privilege of talking to some of our country's leading
    educational entrepreneurs. We had the privilege of talking to parents
    whose lives have been positively affected by our Catholic school system.
    One of the great assets in the United States is the Catholic schools,
    which oftentimes educate the so-called ``hard to educate.'' And they do
    so in such a spectacular way.
        The question is, how do we make sure that this important asset is
    sustainable? How do we make sure that our Catholic schools meet the
    needs of parents like Patricia,
    meet the expectations of some of our educational leaders like
    Ben. And one way is for the Federal Government
    to provide opportunity scholarships for parents, so that they can redeem
    that scholarship at a school of their choice.
        We've got such a program like that here in Washington, DC. It's been
    a very successful program, and Congress needs to make sure it gets fully
    funded. If any Congressman doubts the utility of a program, all they've
    got to do is speak to Wendy Cunningham,
    whose daughter takes advantage of this special funding for people, that
    enables her to say: ``My school isn't meeting the needs, and, therefore,
    I'd like to make another choice.'' A parental choice is a very important
    part of educational excellence. And one way to make sure that that's the
    case is not only to fully fund

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    the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship but to provide these kinds of
    scholarships for school systems outside of Washington.
        For example, we've just heard from Margaret Dames, who has got a marvelous school program in Bridgeport,
    Connecticut. And it seems like it makes sense to me for a parent in
    Bridgeport to be able to have the same kind of opportunity that a parent
    here in Washington, DC, has. Congress needs to reauthorize the No Child
    Left Behind Act as well. We want all schools to be excellent. We want
    every school, public or parochial, to meet expectations and to give our
    children the skill sets necessary to realize the great promise of the
    country.
        One thing is for certain: If you're interested in educational
    excellence, you can look at the Catholic schools in the United States of
    America, because they provide it, and for that, this country is very
    grateful.
        Thank you all for coming; appreciate your time.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:45 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Patricia Weitzel-O'Neill,
    superintendent of Catholic schools, Archdiocese of Washington, DC; Ben
    Ketchum, assistant principal, St. Ann's Academy; and Margaret A. Dames,
    superintendent of schools and director of the Office for Education,
    Diocese of Bridgeport, CT.