HR0380 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0380 LRB099 11920 MST 34126 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois' success in the 21st century depends on providing a high quality education to every child; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools are public schools that do not charge tuition and enroll any student who wants to attend, often through a random lottery when too many students want to attend a single charter school; and

WHEREAS, High-performing charter schools deliver a high-quality public education and challenge all students to reach their potential for academic success; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools promote innovation and excellence in public education; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools throughout Illinois provide thousands of families with diverse and innovative educational options for their children; and

WHEREAS, High-performing charter schools are dramatically increasing student achievement and college-going rates; and

WHEREAS, Students need to be equipped with the education and skills that put them on the path to competitive jobs and a bright future no matter where they live or what school they attend; and

WHEREAS, In exchange for flexibility and autonomy, charter schools are held accountable by public authorizers of such charter schools for improving student achievement and for sound financial and operational management; and

WHEREAS, Learning laboratories give educators the chance to try new models and methods that can encourage excellence in the classroom and prepare more of our children for college and careers; and

WHEREAS, When charter schools demonstrate success and exceed expectations, their practices should be shared with other public schools; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois charter schools choose to locate in communities with few high-quality educational options, making them an important partner in widening the circle of opportunity for students who need it most; and

WHEREAS, It is up to parents, teachers, and citizens to provide children the tools they need to move our country forward, with a degree that leads to a good job and to the critical thinking skills that make our democracy thrive; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools are advancing those goals, and they help our State's children go as far as their talents will take them; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the students, families, teachers, and administrators of Illinois charter schools for their ongoing contributions to education and their impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in Illinois schools, particularly schools with some of the most disadvantaged students in urban communities, and for improving and strengthening the public school system in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support the ideals and goals of the 16th annual National Charter Schools Week, a celebration to be held the week of May 3 through May 9, 2015, in communities throughout Illinois.