[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