    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 10119 of November 13, 2020
    American Education Week, 2020
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation
    Education empowers students of all ages to reach their full potential
    and plays a fundamental role in developing a strong workforce and
    informed citizenry. Our Nation is currently enduring an unprecedented
    academic year, but our commitment to the safe reopening of schools and
    the expansion of school choice programs nationwide remains steadfast. As
    we celebrate the 99th anniversary of American Education Week, I
    encourage States, districts, and school boards across the country to
    embrace creative, personalized approaches to learning, and to ensure
    that students are at the center of all of their educational endeavors.

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    This year, students, teachers, and administrators have faced
    extraordinary challenges. Nevertheless, we must recognize that our
    children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being depend so much on
    their access to schools. Studies show that children are at very low risk
    of serious illness from the coronavirus, while the harms of delaying
    their return to in-person instruction are grave. As President, I have
    taken unprecedented action to ensure that classrooms are safe so that
    students can return to school and resume learning amongst their peers.
    My Administration fought for billions of dollars in funding for local
    school districts for personal protective equipment, increased cleaning
    services, and other critical resources and is providing States with
    millions of revolutionary point-of-care tests that deliver highly
    accurate results in minutes. Whether in the classroom or at home, I am
    committed to fighting for whatever is needed to ensure quality education
    for every American student.
    As a result of thousands of schools transitioning to some form of remote
    learning, parents are gaining expanded insight into our Nation's
    inadequate education system. For too many families, the pandemic has
    served as a stark reminder that an antiquated, agenda-driven, one-size-
    fits-all approach to education simply does not work. Instead, parents
    desire greater control over how their tax dollars are spent, and
    American families demand more options and more autonomy over their
    children's education. Whether they choose public, private, magnet,
    charter, parochial, or home schools, I am fighting to expand every
    family's choices in our Nation's education system. Last year, I signed
    the Secure Act to broaden how families could spend the funds in tax-free
    college savings accounts. And just this July, my Administration awarded
    new funding to the successful DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, so
    disadvantaged students in our Nation's capital can attend the school of
    their choice. These actions are part of our continued efforts to empower
    parents and encourage educational innovation at the State and local
    levels, because in the land of the free, a child's zip code should never
    play any role in determining their educational potential.
    During this American Education week, we especially celebrate the
    teachers, community leaders, parents, and advocates that shape the
    futures of our country's children. They play an essential and powerful
    role in developing Americans of character who are capable of enhancing
    our country's culture, society, and economy. As our Nation's teachers
    and students navigate an unprecedented school year, we must all recommit
    to providing students with lifelong learning opportunities and supplying
    them with the tools they need to achieve success.
    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 November 15 through
    November 21, 2020, as American Education Week. I commend our Nation's
    schools, their teachers and leaders, and the parents of students across
    this land. And I call on States and communities to support high-quality
    education to meet the needs of all students.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
    November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fifth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP