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Skriven 2007-04-13 23:30:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0704134) for Fri, 2007 Apr 13
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President Bush Meets with Parochial Education Leaders and Parents
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 13, 2007

President Bush Meets with Parochial Education Leaders and Parents Roosevelt
Room

˙ Video (Windows) ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Education

1:45 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Spellings and I have just had the privilege of
talking to some of our country's leading educational entrepreneurs. We had
the privilege of talking to parents whose lives have been positively
affected by our Catholic school system. One of the great assets in the
United States is the Catholic schools, which oftentimes educate the
so-called hard to educate -- and they do so in such a spectacular way.

The question is how do we make sure that this important asset is
sustainable? How do we make sure that our Catholic schools meet the needs
of parents, like Patricia, meet the expectations of some of our educational
leaders, like Ben. And one way is for the federal government to provide
opportunity scholarships for parents, so that they can redeem that
scholarship at a school of their choice.

We've got such a program like that here in Washington, D.C. It's been a
very successful program, and Congress needs to make sure it gets fully
funded. If any congressman doubts the utility of a program, all they've got
to do is speak to Wendy Cunningham, whose daughter takes advantage of this
special funding for people, that enables her to say "My school isn't
meeting the needs, therefore I'd like to make another choice." A parental
choice is a very important part of educational excellence. And one way to
make sure that that's the case is not only to fully fund the D.C.
Opportunity Scholarship, but to provide these kinds of scholarships for
school systems outside of Washington.

For example, we just heard from Margaret Dames who has got a marvelous
school program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. And it seems like it makes sense
to me for a parent in Bridgeport to be able to have the same kind of
opportunity that a parent here in Washington, D.C. has. Congress needs to
reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, as well. We want all schools to
be excellent. We want every school, public or parochial, to meet
expectations and to give our children the skill sets necessary to realize
the great promise of the country.

One thing is for certain, if you're interested in educational excellence,
you can look at the Catholic schools in the United States of America,
because they provide it -- and for that, this country is very grateful.

Thank you all for coming, appreciate your time.

END 1:48 P.M. EDT
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