The U.S. Senate showed its support for public charter schools by passing a resolution today honoring National Charter Schools Week.
President Obama also declared May 3-9 National Charter Schools Week
Washington, D.C. The U.S. Senate showed its support for public charter schools by passing a resolution today honoring National Charter Schools Week.
The Resolution states:
The Senate congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to public education; making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in schools in the United States, particularly in schools with some of the most disadvantaged students in both rural and urban communities; and improving and strengthening the public school system throughout the United States.
(The Senate) supports the ideals and goals of the 16th annual National Charter Schools Week, a week-long celebration to be held May 3 through May 9, 2015, in communities throughout the United States; and encourages the people of the United States to hold appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities during National Charter Schools Week to demonstrate support for public charter schools.
To read the full resolution, click here.
"The National Alliance is grateful to the U.S. Senate for recognizing the growth and success of public charter schools, and the positive impact they have on children's lives," said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "We have many reasons to celebrate charter schools this week. One of them is growing enrollment. Today, nearly 3 million children are attending more than 6,700 public charter schools in 42 states and D.C. Charter schools have become a vital component of the public school landscape in many communities because they offer students and parents high-quality educational options. However, there is still a great unmet demand for seats in charter schools and we urge public officials at all levels to do more to meet that demand."
The resolution is cosponsored by 21 senators, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and David Vitter (R-La.).
Earlier this week, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring May 3-9 as National Charter Schools Week. The president commends public charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and urges states and communities to support high quality public schools, including charter schools, and the students they serve.
About Public Charter Schools
Public charter schools are independent, public, and tuition-free schools that are given the freedom to be more innovative while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. Since 2010, many independent research studies have found that students in charter schools do better in school than their traditional school peers. For example, one study by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University found that charter schools do a better job teaching low income students, minority students, and students who are still learning English than traditional schools. Separate studies by the Center on Reinventing Public Education and Mathematica Policy Research have found that charter school students are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to college, stay in college and have higher earnings in early adulthood.
About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector. For more information, please visit our website at www.publiccharters.org.