President Obama calls charter schools 'incubators of innovation' in National Charter Schools Week proclamation
Published: Monday, May 07, 2012, 4:36 PM Updated: Monday, May 07, 2012, 4:51 PM
The charter movement in Michigan has been loudly opposed by
Democrats, who argue that some of the schools are run by for-profit
management companies, and some Republicans.
But Obama has been a supporter, sometimes frustrating state teachers union leaders.
In a proclamation released by the White House today, Obama said charter schools for years “have brought new ideas to the work of educating our sons and daughters.”
“Whether created by parents and teachers or community and civic leaders, charter schools serve as incubators of innovation in neighborhoods across our country,” he said in a release.
“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 under-performing charter schools can be closed, while those that consistently help students succeed can serve as models of reform for other public schools.”
Obama said that a good education is “no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is an imperative.”
“Our children only get one chance at an education, and charter schools demonstrate what is possible when States, communities, teachers, parents, and students work together. This week, let us recommit to ensuring all our children receive a high-quality education that expands their horizons, inspires them to develop their talents, and instills in them a sense of possibility for their futures.”
Charter schools are one of a handful of issues where Obama and teachers unions – and many Democrats -- don’t see eye-to-eye.
The National Education Association endorsed Obama’s re-election bid early, but haven’t been in lock-step on issues including using student test scores for teacher evaluations and merit pay, two features of the administration’s Race to the Top competitive grant program.
Michigan Democrats vocally opposed recent efforts to lift the cap on university authorized charter schools, and just one member of the party voted in favor of raising the cap on “cyber” charter schools.
The National Education Association has designated the week “National Teacher Week,” and is teaming up with “Parenting” magazine on an “My Amazing Teacher” campaign “to honor teachers for their unwavering passion, dedication, and commitment to educating America’s children.”
The campaign invites people to celebrate an educator who changed their life by uploading a video thank-you message on the Parenting web site.
E-mail Dave Murray: dmurray@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterDMurray
But Obama has been a supporter, sometimes frustrating state teachers union leaders.
In a proclamation released by the White House today, Obama said charter schools for years “have brought new ideas to the work of educating our sons and daughters.”
“Whether created by parents and teachers or community and civic leaders, charter schools serve as incubators of innovation in neighborhoods across our country,” he said in a release.
“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 under-performing charter schools can be closed, while those that consistently help students succeed can serve as models of reform for other public schools.”
Obama said that a good education is “no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is an imperative.”
“Our children only get one chance at an education, and charter schools demonstrate what is possible when States, communities, teachers, parents, and students work together. This week, let us recommit to ensuring all our children receive a high-quality education that expands their horizons, inspires them to develop their talents, and instills in them a sense of possibility for their futures.”
Charter schools are one of a handful of issues where Obama and teachers unions – and many Democrats -- don’t see eye-to-eye.
The National Education Association endorsed Obama’s re-election bid early, but haven’t been in lock-step on issues including using student test scores for teacher evaluations and merit pay, two features of the administration’s Race to the Top competitive grant program.
Michigan Democrats vocally opposed recent efforts to lift the cap on university authorized charter schools, and just one member of the party voted in favor of raising the cap on “cyber” charter schools.
The National Education Association has designated the week “National Teacher Week,” and is teaming up with “Parenting” magazine on an “My Amazing Teacher” campaign “to honor teachers for their unwavering passion, dedication, and commitment to educating America’s children.”
The campaign invites people to celebrate an educator who changed their life by uploading a video thank-you message on the Parenting web site.
E-mail Dave Murray: dmurray@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterDMurray
© 2012 MLive.com. All rights reserved.
