[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7777 of April 30, 2004


 
National Charter Schools Week, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America looks to its schools to give all students the skills they need
to realize their dreams and reach their potential. Charter schools help
fulfill this mission. During National Charter Schools Week, we celebrate
the successes of these institutions.
Charter schools are an important part of our effort to improve the
public school system and offer broader educational options to every
family. Like other public schools, charter schools are open to all
students. Because they are subject to fewer State and district
regulations than

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other public schools, charter schools offer teachers and administrators
more freedom in tailoring programs to meet specific student and
community needs. In exchange for this freedom, they must meet stricter
accountability standards.
Now in their second decade, the demand for charter schools is growing
among families from all backgrounds. During this school year, our
Nation's charter schools will educate nearly 700,000 students. Many
families choose charter schools because of the innovative curriculum and
focus on academic achievement, and because these schools can be a
promising alternative to a low-performing neighborhood school.
Charter schools are an important part of the No Child Left Behind Act.
They provide parents with more choices for their children's education.
The greater autonomy of charter schools allows them to employ innovative
educational practices. Studies have shown that many charter schools
improve academic achievement for their students and that parents of
students in charter schools are satisfied with their children's schools.
My fiscal year 2005 budget includes an overall 49 percent increase for
elementary and secondary education over 2001 levels, and it proposes
$219 million for charter school grants and $100 million for charter
school facilities. Together, funding for these two charter school
programs has increased 68 percent over 2001 levels. By raising
expectations, insisting on results, and refusing to accept failure, we
are strengthening our public schools and improving education for all
children in America.
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 May 2 through May 8, 2004,
as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our Nation's charter
schools, and I call on parents of charter school students to share their
successes to help all Americans understand more about the important work
of charter schools.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7778--APR. 30, 2004