Presidential Documents

361 

Federal Register 

Vol. 84, No. 17 

Friday, January 25, 2019 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9837 of January 18, 2019 

National School Choice Week, 2019 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

A great education provides students with a foundation to pursue the American Dream of a hopeful and prosperous future. During National School 

Choice Week, we reaffirm our commitment to enable all students to pursue 

the education that will best equip them for success in work and life. 

Every child deserves the chance to flourish in an educational environment 

that best leverages their unique learning style, cultivates their talent, and 

develops the skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Likewise, 

teachers deserve the chance to innovate in the classroom and do their 

best work. Yet, today’s system often falls short of what students and teachers 

need and deserve, and often makes it too hard for families and educators 

to create the best learning experience for each child. The results tell the 

unfortunate story: recent international surveys ranked the United States 24th 

in reading, 25th in science, and 40th in math. These results were not 

the result of incapable children; they were the consequence of the limitations 

imposed by a largely one-size-fits-all approach to education. 

Education should inspire wonder, stimulate curiosity, and spark a lifelong 

desire in our children to learn and grow. Increased educational options— 

including through out-of-zone public schools, public charter schools, magnet 

schools, sectarian and secular private schools, home schools, and online 

education programs—have expanded opportunities for students regardless 

of background or economic status. We should all work to ensure all children 

receive great educations, regardless of where they live, how much their 

family makes, or how they best learn. 

My Administration knows that choice in education plays a vital role in 

the success of our children and our country. The number of students receiving 

a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship has increased by nearly 50 percent under 

my Administration. In last year’s enactment of the historic Tax Cuts and 

Jobs Act, we improved 529 plans so that they may cover elementary and 

secondary school tuition. Family demand for public charter schools has 

continued to grow. And, importantly, we have encouraged States, local 

communities, and families to refocus education policy where it belongs— 

on what is best for each child. 

We commend our Nation’s families, teachers, school leaders, and all those 

who nobly dedicate their lives to educating the next generation. My Administration will continue to stand with students and their families in the fight 

for the best educational opportunities for their children. 

As our Nation celebrates National School Choice Week, I encourage families 

to explore new educational opportunities; I urge educators to develop imaginative and innovative pathways to learning; and I challenge students to 

passionately pursue their goals and dreams with discipline, integrity, and 

unyielding determination. Lastly, I urge lawmakers in Congress and in the 

States to embrace and expand education choice, which will strengthen our 

students, families, educators, communities, and ultimately, our great Nation. 


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362 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2019 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20 to January 

26, 2019, as National School Choice Week. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 

of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortythird. 

[FR Doc. 2019–00220 

Filed 1–24–19; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F9–P 


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