[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 17 (Monday, May 2, 2005)]
[Pages 682-683]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7890--National Charter Schools Week, 2005

 April 28, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Strong schools are the building blocks of a prosperous and hopeful 
country. To ensure that all our children receive the education they need 
to succeed, schools must be innovative, accountable, and committed to 
student achievement. The charter school movement was founded on these 
principles and has played an important role in expanding educational 
choices in America. This week, we highlight the importance of charter 
schools and recognize their contributions to American education.
    Charter schools are unique because they are public schools operating 
under a contract from a public agency. In exchange for increased 
flexibility in teaching methods and curricula, these schools promise to 
meet strict accountability standards designed to improve student 
performance. Four hundred new charter schools opened in 32 states for 
the 2004-2005 school year, and there are nearly 3,400 charter schools 
serving almost one million children in America. These institutions have 
provided a valuable alternative to families throughout the country.
    My Administration is committed to advancing public education in 
America. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is bringing increased 
accountability to our schools. Test scores are rising, and the 
achievement gap for minority students is closing. Our continued strong 
commitment to this legislation is ensuring that parents have greater 
flexibility when deciding on how best to educate their children. To 
support and enhance school choice, I have proposed $219 million for 
Charter School Grants and $37 million for Credit Enhancement for Charter 
School Facilities. I have also called for $50 million in new funding for 
the Choice Incentive Fund to support development of innovative school-
choice programs.
    We must continue to demand better results from our schools so that 
every high school diploma represents a significant level of educational 
achievement and all graduates are armed with the tools to succeed in the 
21st Century. I commend the teachers and administrators of charter 
schools and all educators who are providing innovative alternatives that 
prepare our children for a bright and successful future.
    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 May 1 through 7, 2005, as 
National Charter Schools Week. I call on parents of charter school 
students and all those involved with charter schools to share their 
success stories and help Americans learn more about the important work 
of these institutions.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:55 a.m., May 2, 2005]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May 
3.

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