Governor Bobby Jindal Honored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools with 2010 Champion for Charters Award

WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today honors Governor Bobby Jindal with the Champion for Charters Award for supporting high-quality public charter schools. Jindal will be recognized at a reception on May 4 in Washington, D.C., during National Charter Schools Week May 2 – 8.

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"Governor Jindal stands out as a leader who has embraced charter schools as a way to bring accountability and innovation to the system of public schools in New Orleans, where 57 percent of public school students are in charter schools," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "The Alliance is proud to recognize Bobby Jindal as a true champion for the charter school movement."  

In the last year, Governor Jindal advanced legislation to remove the state cap on charter school growth, improve charter school funding equity and strengthen charter school authorizing practices. Each of these elements supports a policy environment in which charter schools can thrive.  

Annually, the Champions for Charters awards recognize public officials for leading a major public charter issue or initiative, serving as a highly visible public charter school advocate, and consistently supporting charters as a high-quality public school choice option.

Jindal joins three other distinguished public officials as an honoree for 2010:

• U.S. Representative Jared Polis, Colorado (D- Colo.)
• State Senator Wayne Kuipers, Michigan (R- 30th)
• Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis, Missouri (D)

Charter schools are independent public schools that are free to be more innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement. They foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to innovate and students are provided the structure they need to learn.

National Charter Schools Week celebrates the theme "Promoting Innovation & Excellence."  Public charter school supporters around the nation are hosting and participating in numerous activities to mark the movement's success and growth.  

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (Alliance) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools