Charter schools play an important role in America meeting its obligation to “equip all our students with the education and skills that put them on the path to a bright future,” according to President Barack Obama, in proclaiming May 5 through 11 as National Charter Schools Week, 2013.
America’s approximately 6,000 charter schools are “learning laboratories [that] give educators the chance to try new models and methods that can encourage excellence in the classroom and prepare more of our children for college and careers,” according to President Obama.
For its part, the Charter Schools Program (CSP) of the Office of Innovation and Improvement supports the creation, replication, and expansion of high-quality charter schools with proven records of success through both State education agencies, as part of statewide education reform, and the efforts of nonprofits and charter management organizations. Collaborations between exemplary charter schools and non-chartered public schools are also rewarded in order to share best educational and operational practices. And theNational Charter School Resource Center, with CSP support, is an invaluable source of information about the policies and practices of successful charter schools as well as technical assistance to charter school operators and organizations that work hand-in-hand with charter schools.
During this week and throughout the year, the Charter Schools Program commends the teachers, administrators, parents, and supporters of America’s charter schools for helping an ever-increasing number of America’s children, in the words of the proclamation, “go as far as their talents will take them.”
