H. Res. 382 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 5, 2009. 

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, the District of Columbia, and Guam have 

passed laws authorizing charter schools; 

Whereas approximately 4,700 charter schools are now serving 

approximately 1,400,000 children; 

Whereas over the last 15 years, Congress has provided substantial support to the charter school movement through 

startup financing assistance and grants for planning, implementation, and dissemination; 
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Whereas over 365,000 children are on charter school waiting 

lists nationally; 

Whereas charter schools improve their students’ achievement 

and can 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 must continually demonstrate their 

ongoing success to parents, policymakers, and their communities, some charter schools routinely measure parental satisfaction levels, and all give parents new freedom 

to choose their public school; 

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 10th annual National Charter Schools Week, to 

be held May 3 through May 9, 2009, 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 the House of Representatives— 
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(1) supports the goals and ideals of the 10th annual 

National Charter Schools Week; 

(2) 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; and 

(3) calls 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.