As part of a national effort to highlight the contributions of charter schools, senior U.S. Department of Education officials will celebrate National Charter Schools Week, April 29 to May 3, by visiting charter schools around the country, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige announced today.

"Charter schools embody the principles of President Bush's No Child Left Behind plan–marrying strict accountability for results, greater options for parents and families, and more freedom and flexibility than traditional public schools," Secretary Paige said. "This week, we will celebrate the success of these schools and how they're changing the education landscape across the country."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the first charter school. Since then more than 2,400 charter schools have opened in 34 states and the District of Columbia and educate almost 589,000 children.

Throughout this week, charter schools will host open houses and welcome the public to visit, learn and experience some of the activities that go on in charter schools.

The development of charter schools is a key element of the No Child Left Behind Act–President George W. Bush's plan to make sure every child in America receives a quality education.

In 2002, the Bush Administration is providing $200 million to support charter schools–a $10 million increase over last year's appropriation.

President Bush's proposed 2003 budget continues his commitment to charter schools, including $200 million to simulate the continued growth of charters. Plus, he proposed another $100 million for a new Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities Program, which would assist charter schools in acquiring, leasing and renovating school facilities through competitive grants to public and nonprofit entities for loan guarantees, insuring debt and other activities that facilitate private lending.

The following is a schedule of events for department officials:

Monday, April 29, 10 a.m.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Gerald Reynolds will tour two Orlando charter schools.

Tuesday, April 30, 8:30 a.m.
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Susan Neuman visits Roxbury Prep Charter School. Roxbury Prep Charter School, 120 Fisher Avenue, Boston, Mass.

Wednesday, May 1, 10:30 a.m.
Under Secretary Gene Hickok visits the Center for the Arts on the State University of New York's (SUNY) Buffalo campus, 103 Center for the Arts, Buffalo, N.Y., where he will view presentations from students at selected charter schools and see charter school exhibit booths.

Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m.
Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education Carol D'Amico will tour the Charter School of Wilmington and see student performances. Charter School of Wilmington, 100 North duPont Road, Wilmington, Del. A lunch will follow at Terrace Green Hill, 800 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington, Del.

Wednesday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Secretary's Regional Representative Mary Jane T. Pearson will attend a dinner at the Siena Hotel, One Southlake Street, Reno, Nev., to help recognize exemplary students and teachers with special awards.

Thursday, May 2, 1:30 p.m.
Deputy Secretary of Education Bill Hansen will tour Center City School, 55 North Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m.
Secretary Rod Paige will tour and give remarks at the D.C. Edison Friendship Collegiate Academy-High School Charter School in Washington, D.C.

Thursday, May 2, 6 p.m.
General Counsel Brian Jones will speak at the Los Angeles Public Charter School Symposium, California Science Center-Exposition Park, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles.

Friday, May 3, 9 a.m.
Brian Jones will visit Odyssey Charter School, 1555 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, Calif.

Editor's note: Separate media advisories will be available before each day's events.

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