A resolution congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education and supporting the ideals and goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 11 through May 17, 2025.

Bill Number: S.Res. 238
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Education
Status: Passed Senate
Latest Action: 2025-05-20: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3003; text: CR S3012-3013)
Last Updated: 2026-06-23T21:51:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 238) aims to recognize and congratulate the contributions of charter schools to public education in the United States. It specifically supports the ideals and goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, scheduled for May 11 through May 17, 2025, by highlighting the role of charter schools in improving student outcomes and providing educational choices.

Key Provisions

Background on Charter Schools: The resolution includes numerous "Whereas" clauses that describe charter schools as tuition-free public schools open to any student (often via lottery if oversubscribed). It emphasizes their focus on innovation, high performance, accountability, and meeting the same federal standards as traditional public schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Achievements and Growth: It notes the expansion of charter schools, serving about 3.7 million students in roughly 8,000 schools as of the 2021-2022 school year, with enrollment growing over fivefold since 2002. It cites benefits like improved achievement for low-income students (e.g., equivalent to 16 extra days of reading and 6 days of math learning per year, per a 2023 Stanford report) and high parental satisfaction.
Resolved Actions:
Congratulates students, families, teachers, leaders, and staff of charter schools for advancing public education, closing achievement gaps (especially in rural and urban disadvantaged areas), and strengthening the overall public school system.
Expresses support for National Charter Schools Week as a celebration of these efforts.
Encourages communities across the U.S. to organize programs, ceremonies, and activities during the week to show support for high-quality charter schools.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing laws. It does not amend statutes, allocate funds, or impose new requirements; instead, it serves as a formal expression of congressional recognition and endorsement.

Potential Impacts

On Citizens: May increase public awareness of charter schools as educational options, potentially encouraging more parental involvement and enrollment. It promotes collaboration between charter and traditional public schools to benefit all students, but has no direct enforcement or funding effects.
On Government Agencies: Minimal impact; federal education agencies (e.g., Department of Education) may reference it for promotional purposes, but it does not affect policies, budgets, or operations.
On International Relations: None, as the resolution is focused solely on domestic U.S. education.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Primary Beneficiaries: Students, parents, teachers, leaders, and staff at the approximately 8,000 charter schools nationwide, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities.
Broader Groups: Families seeking school choice, traditional public schools (through noted collaboration), state and local education authorizers (who oversee charter accountability), and policymakers in the 45 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico with charter schools.
General Public: Communities encouraged to participate in National Charter Schools Week events, fostering greater support for public education innovation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no legal force and cannot be challenged in court. It reaffirms existing federal requirements for charter schools without altering them.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority to recognize educational initiatives and express support for public institutions, posing no constitutional issues.
Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by 24 senators from both parties) for charter schools, potentially influencing future education debates or funding discussions. It underscores a policy preference for school choice and accountability but remains symbolic, avoiding partisan controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

Cosponsors (21)

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]

Recent Actions

2025-05-20: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3003; text: CR S3012-3013)
2025-05-20: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
2025-05-20: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education and supporting the ideals and goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 11 through May 17, 2025. — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (5 pages)