    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9692 of January 22, 2018

    National School Choice Week, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    All American children deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams
    through hard work and personal integrity. Our Nation's education
    policies must support them on their journeys, recognizing the diverse
    career goals and academic needs of students in communities across our
    country. During National School Choice Week, we honor those dedicated
    educators, administrators, and State and local lawmakers, who promote
    student-focused academic options for all families, as we increase
    educational freedom for all Americans.
    The United States is one of the most educated countries in the world.
    Almost 90 percent of American adults attain a high school diploma or
    GED. But our students deserve more than just a paper diploma. Indeed,
    they deserve access to an education that provides the tools needed to
    succeed in our ever-evolving world. To maintain our global leadership
    and strengthen our modern economy, America's education system must
    prepare students for the unforeseen challenges of the future.
    Communities that provide academic options--traditional public, public
    charter, private, magnet, parochial, virtual, and homeschooling--empower
    parents and guardians to select the best educational fit for their
    children.
    School choice helps alleviate common hindrances to success and creates
    the space necessary for students' aspirations to flourish. Families that
    participate in school choice programs are not the only ones who benefit
    from expanded educational options. Children in traditional public
    schools benefit as well. In fact, 29 of the top 31 empirical studies on
    the topic find that freedom of school choice improves the performance of
    nearby public schools.
    My Administration is refocusing education policy on students. We are
    committed to empowering those most affected by school choice decisions
    and best suited to direct taxpayer resources, including States, local
    school boards, and families. As part of my steadfast commitment to
    invest in America's students, I signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs
    Act last December. One of the bill's provisions includes an expansion of
    529 education savings plans so that their funds can be allocated tax-
    free to K-12 public, private, and religious educational expenses. By
    giving parents more control over their children's education, we are
    making strides toward a future of unprecedented educational attainment
    and freedom of choice. Under the leadership of Secretary of Education
    Betsy DeVos, we will continue to advance school choice so that every
    child in America has access to the tools best suited to enabling them to
    achieve the American Dream.
    During National School Choice Week, I encourage parents to explore
    innovative educational alternatives, and I challenge students to dream
    big and work hard for the futures they deserve. I also urge State and
    Federal lawmakers to embrace school choice and enact policies that
    empower families and strengthen communities.

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    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 21 to January
    27, 2018, as National School Choice Week.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day
    of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    second.
    DONALD J. TRUMP