[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 17 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Pages 801-802]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8007--National Charter Schools Week, 2006

April 26, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Education is the gateway to a brighter future for our children and 
our Nation. During National Charter Schools Week, we celebrate charter 
schools' commitment to academic achievement, accountability, and 
innovation. We recognize the vital role charter schools play in 
fostering an America where children have the knowledge and skills they 
need to grow, succeed, and achieve their dreams.
    As a publicly funded alternative to traditional public schools, 
charter schools have expanded our understanding of public education by 
embracing the spirit of discovery and providing innovative avenues for 
success. Almost 15 years after the founding of the first charter school, 
more than 3,600 charter schools in 40 states and the District of 
Columbia are teaching more than one million students. These institutions 
reflect our belief in the promise of America's youth and help fulfill 
our moral obligation to make sure that every child has a quality 
education.
    This year marks the fourth anniversary of the signing of the No 
Child Left Behind Act, which is helping schools close the achievement 
gap among America's youth. Using the same principles that guide No Child 
Left Behind, we are achieving educational excellence through charter 
schools by providing greater flexibility with Federal dollars and 
curriculum control at the local level. We are also providing parents 
with more information about school performance and school options and 
insisting on results through assessment and accountability.
    In the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes that struck our 
Nation's Gulf Coast last

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year, charter schools are playing a major role in welcoming back school 
children affected by the storms. Because of their unique flexibility, 
many Gulf Coast charter schools were able to reopen quickly, and many of 
the public schools that have reopened in New Orleans now operate as 
charter schools. By enabling these children to continue their education, 
charter schools are helping families and demonstrating a deep compassion 
for America's students.
    We must give every child the best opportunity to learn and succeed 
in life. Charter schools help prepare our next generation of leaders and 
help ensure that America continues to succeed in the world.
    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 30 through May 6, 
2006, as National Charter Schools Week. I appreciate our Nation's 
charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and I call on parents of 
charter school students to share their successes and help all Americans 
understand more about the important work of charter schools.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth 
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:05 a.m., April 28, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 1.