National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Issues a Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

Focus on Education and Innovation is Commended

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement from its president and CEO, Peter C. Groff:

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"In his first address to the newly seated 112th Congress, we were pleased to see that President Obama singled out investments in education and innovation as the way to move our nation forward.  We echo his sentiments that we must all, as Americans, be committed to making sure every child has a chance to succeed.  It is this same philosophy that serves as a core belief within the public charter school sector.  These unique public schools bring innovation and opportunity to more than 1.6 million students across the country. We urge the President to continue his support of public charter schools and hope that even in this tough fiscal environment he will continue to ensure the necessary support for the Public Charter School Programs.

"We were pleased to hear that the Race to the Top competition, which helped lift restrictive caps on charter school growth in 15 states, was held up as a model of how the Administration created incentives to improve public education.  We are hopeful that the Race to the Top competition, and any future federally created education programs or legislation, will continue to encourage education reform and fuel innovation.

"The President's call to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act is also applauded by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  We believe policies that support the growth and replication of high-performing charter schools must play a key role in the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, and we stand ready to support the President and the Congress in reshaping this legislation so that it truly ensures all children have the resources, opportunities and support to achieve at their highest potential."

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org) 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 underserved 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 40 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools