H. Res. 781

In the House of Representatives, U.S., 

May 3, 2006.

Whereas charter schools deliver high-quality education and 

challenge our students to reach their potential; 

Whereas charter schools provide thousands of families with 

diverse and innovative educational options for their children; 

Whereas charter schools are public schools authorized by a 

designated public entity that are responding to the needs 

of our communities, families, and students and promoting 

the principles of quality, choice, and innovation; 

Whereas in exchange for the flexibility and autonomy given 

to charter schools, they are held accountable by their 

sponsors for improving student achievement and for their 

financial and other operations; 

Whereas 40 States and the District of Columbia have passed 

laws authorizing charter schools; 

Whereas over 3,600 charter schools are now operating in 40 

States and the District of Columbia serving more than 1 

million students; 

Whereas over the last 12 years, Congress has provided nearly 

$1,775,000,000 in support to the charter school movement through facilities financing assistance and grants 

for planning, startup, implementation, and dissemination; 
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•HRES 781 EH 

Whereas charter schools improve their students’ achievement 

and stimulate improvement in traditional public schools; 

Whereas charter schools must meet the student achievement 

accountability requirements under the Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965 in the same manner as 

traditional public schools, and often set higher and additional individual goals to ensure that they are of high 

quality and truly accountable to the public; 

Whereas charter schools give parents new freedom to choose 

their public school, routinely measure parental satisfaction levels, and must prove their ongoing success to parents, policymakers, and their communities; 

Whereas nearly 56 percent of charter schools report having 

a waiting list, and the total number of students on all 

such waiting lists is enough to fill over 1,100 averagesized charter schools; 

Whereas charter schools nationwide serve a higher percentage 

of low-income and minority students than the traditional 

public system; 

Whereas charter schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan support from the Administration, Congress, State Governors 

and legislatures, educators, and parents across the 

United States; and 

Whereas the seventh annual National Charter Schools Week, 

to be held May 1 through 6, 2006, is an event sponsored 

by charter schools and grassroots charter school organizations across the United States to recognize the significant impacts, achievements, and innovations of charter 

schools: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That—
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•HRES 781 EH 

(1) the House of Representatives acknowledges and 

commends charter schools and their students, parents, 

teachers, and administrators across the United States 

for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our public school system; 

(2) the House of Representatives supports the seventh annual National Charter Schools Week; and 

(3) it is the sense of the House of Representatives 

that the President should issue a proclamation calling on 

the people of the United States to conduct appropriate 

programs, ceremonies, and activities to demonstrate support for charter schools during this weeklong celebration 

in communities throughout the United States.

Attest: 

Clerk.