[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7552]

Proc. 7552

[[Page 81]]

Proclamation 7552 of May 2, 2002

National Charter Schools Week, 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.

[[Page 82]]

          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