Sen. Carper Receives Education Award: “CHAMPIONS FOR CHARTERS”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) today will accept the 2008 Champions for Charters award from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools for his continuing support of charter schools nationwide.

In presenting its award this evening, the Alliance cited Sen. Carper’s continuing dedication to public charter schools, beginning with his support of the Empowering Parents Act in 2001 (the first bill he sponsored in the Senate) to his work most recently encouraging his colleagues to fully fund the public charter school programs authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act in FY09.

“I am honored to receive this recognition and pledge to continue fighting for charter schools. Few issues are more important to me, to the people of Delaware, and to all Americans than the quality of our public educational system and its ability to raise student achievement,” Sen. Carper said. “As the parent of two students who attended public charter schools in Wilmington, Delaware, I know first-hand the value of charter schools and the quality of education they provide students today.”

Other 2008 winners include California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Colorado State Senator Peter Groff. Sen. Carper will attend a reception in honor of the award this evening in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from established, traditional school systems. They are accountable for student results and designed to deliver programs tailored to meet the needs of the communities they serve and the demands of parents for quality educational options for their children.

Charter schools are the fastest growing education reform movement in the country. Acting as a catalyst for the systemic improvement of all public schools through competition and choice, more than 3,600 charter schools serve over one million children in 40 states and the District of Columbia.