Erik Paulsen: “I want to recognize National Charter Schools Week. Minnesota was a pioneer in the charter school movement, opening the…”

“I want to recognize National Charter Schools Week. Minnesota was a pioneer in the charter school movement, opening the Nation's very first charter school in St. Paul in the fall of 1992. Charter schools are tuition-free, independent, public schools that are open and welcome to all students, no matter ability or need. They are governed and operated jointly by licensed teachers, parents, and community members. Today, more than 56,000 Minnesota children are educated every day in charter schools, many of them from low-income families. A child's ZIP Code should not determine the outcome of their education. As co-chair of the Charter School Caucus, I am pleased with the bipartisan work we have been able to do to strengthen charter schools and enable the replication of successful charter programs nationwide. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the great work being done in charter schools across the country and thank the teachers and community leaders who work so hard educating their children. ____________________”