BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA 
A PROCLAMATION 
 
SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
All children in Georgia 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 the future of our state; and 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Georgia recognizes the critical role that an effective and accountable education system 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 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
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 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Georgia has many outstanding teaching professionals in public, private, and charter schools across the state who are committed to educating our children well. 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 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
The vital cause of education reform is one that transcends ideology and partisan affiliation; now 
 
THEREFORE: 
 
I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby recognize january 25-31, 2015, as SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK in Georgia so that we may better appreciate the importance of providing an educational system with enough options to encompass all students and the various ways in which they learn. 
 
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the 
 
Executive Department to be affixed this 2Qth day of january in the year of our 
 
Lord two thousand fifteen. 
 
~ t:)~ 
 
-..r.-.w-v_ 
 
GOVERNOR 
 
ATTEST 
 
CHIEF OF STAFF