By the Governor of the State of Georgia, a proclamation, 2014 January 19; By the Governor of the State of Georgia, a proclamation: School Choice Week

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS:
WHEREAS: WHEREAS: THEREFORE:

A PROCLAMATION
SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
All children in Georgia should have the right to high-quality public schools. Improving the quality of education and expanding access to highly effective schools is an issue of great importance to our state's future; and
Georgia recognizes the critical role that an effective and accountable system of education plays in preparing our children to be successful in a globalized economy. As a result, the state has a multitude of high-quality public schools, public charter schools, and nonpublic schools; and
School choice options for families are growing exponentially across the country in six main areas: traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, virtual schools, and home schools. Opportunity scholarships, scholarship and tuition tax credits, and empowerment scholarship accounts are also programs allowing parents to choose the best education environment for their children; and
Georgia has many outstanding teaching professionals in public, private, and charter schools across the state who are committed to educating children. As research in Georgia and across our nation demonstrates, providing children with multiple schooling options improves academic performance, regardless of income level, geography, or learning ability; and
The vital cause of education reform is one that transcends ideology and partisan affiliation; now
I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby recognize january 26-31, 2014, as SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK in Georgia.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 9th day of january in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen.

ATTEST

GOVERNOR