WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Bill Clinton today accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools at the National Charter Schools Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We are deeply honored to recognize President Clinton for his ongoing commitment to giving all students high-quality public school options.
“Without his leadership, our movement would not be where it is today,” said Peter C. Groff, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. President Clinton has championed public charter schools throughout his career, most especially with the establishment of the federal Charter Schools Program, which has allowed thousands of charter schools to open and will give millions of students a chance at a better education.
“The award recognizes President Clinton’s ongoing support of public charter schools spanning more than twenty years. President Clinton established the federal governments interest in supporting the development of the charter school movement in 1993, when he proposed the Charter Schools Program (CSP). This program was enacted through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1994.
“The CSP is a discretionary grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It supports the planning, development and start-up process for new charter schools. When President Clinton was elected in 1992 there was only one charter school open. By the time his administration left office, there were over 2,000 charter schools across the nation. Today more than 5,000 charter schools serve more than 1.8 million students across America.
“Joining President Clinton before 4,000 charter school teachers, leaders and supporters were the Honorable Mayor Cory A. Booker, Newark, New Jersey, Success Charter Network Founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz and Peter C. Groff, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.”
About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools:
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. NAPCS works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. NAPCS represents more than 1.8 million students enrolled in more than 5,000 charter schools across 40 states and the District of Columbia.
