[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 18 (Monday, May 6, 2002)]
[Page 736]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Proclamation 7552--National Charter Schools Week, 2002

 May 2, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Over a decade ago in Minnesota, a handful of educators envisioned a 
new kind of educational institution that would provide an alternative 
for children trapped in under-performing public schools. Their 
philosophy for a ``charter school'' was straightforward and powerful: 
provide parents the option to send their children to innovative public 
schools that combine flexibility and autonomy with a guarantee to raise 
student achievement.
    Today, we recognize the important successes of the charter school 
experiment. Nearly 2,400 charter schools now exist across our Nation. 
Thanks to bipartisan support at the local, State, and Federal level, 
more than a half-million children have attended these public schools and 
obtained a better education.
    In reading, math, science, special education, early childhood 
education, and other areas, charter schools have implemented innovative 
programs that produce results. Charter school principals and teachers 
have the freedom to develop classroom techniques that meet their 
students' unique needs, and parents appreciate the ability to have 
direct input into their children's educational progress. Charter school 
administrators are accountable to students, parents, and community 
leaders, and they know that if their school fails to meet expectations, 
it must either improve or close.
    The effects of charter schools extend beyond the schoolhouse walls. 
Wherever charter schools are clustered together, we see traditional 
schools reevaluate their methods and programs. At this basic level, 
charter schools help stimulate community debate and inspire educational 
excellence.
    Accountability, flexibility, expanded choices, and a focus on 
methods that work are all important elements in the landmark, 
bipartisan, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which I signed into law in 
January. This legislation authorizes a new program, the Charter School 
Facility Demonstration Project, which provides important seed funding 
for charter school infrastructure and construction needs. It also 
continues the Charter School Grants program that supports planning and 
development of new public charter schools. Together these programs 
provide valuable tools to American education. Now we must work together 
to implement this new legislation in all our communities so no child is 
left behind.
     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 April 28 through May 
4, 2002, as National Charter Schools Week. I call on parents of charter 
school children to share their success stories with others so that all 
Americans may learn more about charter schools and their important work. 
I commend the States with charter schools.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 6, 2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May 
7.