[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8815--MAY 7, 2012

Proclamation 8815 of May 7, 2012

National Charter Schools Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As a Nation, we share a responsibility to provide our children with a
world-class education. By keeping our young people engaged in learning,
we help them develop the skills and values that will not only guide them
in life, but also prepare them to thrive in the global economy. For
years, charter schools have brought new ideas to the work of educating
our sons and daughters, and during National Charter Schools Week, we
recognize their role in strengthening American education.
Whether created by parents and teachers or community and civic leaders,
charter schools serve as incubators of innovation in neighborhoods
across our country. These institutions give educators the freedom to
cultivate new teaching models and develop creative methods to meet
students' needs. This unique flexibility is matched by strong
accountability and high standards, so underperforming charter schools
can be closed, while those that consistently help students succeed can
serve as models of reform for other public schools.
In an economy where knowledge is our most valuable asset, a good
education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity--it is an
imperative. Our children only get one chance at an education, and
charter schools demonstrate what is possible when States, communities,
teachers, parents, and students work together. This week, let us
recommit to ensuring all our children receive a high-quality education
that expands their horizons, inspires them to develop their talents, and
instills in them a sense of possibility for their futures.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 May 6 through May 12,
2012, as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our Nation's charter
schools, teachers, and administrators, and I call on States and
communities to support charter schools and the students they serve.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA