rescind the Presidential Proclamation declaring May 4 - 10 National Charter School Week.

In 1985, PTA declared the 1st week in May Teacher Appreciation Week.For almost 20 years, this has been a week to recognize, celebrate, and thank our public school teachers for the hard work we do in the classroom. Your proclamation reaffirmed recent trends by your administration, especially Arne Duncan, that you are abandoning those students and teachers most in need of your support. Strong public education is the foundation of a strong democracy and a strong economy. Privatization of education through charters and testing is threatening these democratic roots. Praising charters during our week belittles public educators. Instead of trying to “fix” public education via charters, join us in celebrating our strengths and accomplishments. Restore our week to appreciate teachers, not charters.