In a Presidential Proclamation, President Obama officially declared the week of May 6th, 2012 to May 12th, 2012 as National Charter Schools Week.
Citing their flexibility and innovation, the President states,
Whether created by parents and teachers or community and civic leaders, charter schools serve as incubators of innovation in neighborhoods across our country. These institutions give educators the freedom to cultivate new teaching models and develop creative methods to meet students’ needs. This unique flexibility is matched by strong accountability and high standards, so underperforming charter schools can be closed, while those that consistently help students succeed can serve as models of reform for other public schools.
President Obama has been a supporter of public charter schools since his time in the Senate, during which he doubled the number of charter schools in Illinois. Early in his presidency, Obama also called on states to expand and allow for more high-performing public charter schools.
Read the whole proclamation here.