Petition to Veto H.R. 2218 - Empowering Parents Through the Quality Charter Schools Act

Dear President Obama:

Earlier this year, the National Education Association, the nation's largest teacher's union made the unprecedented early decision to endorse your reelection candidacy in the 2012 election.

This endorsement was given so with the faith that you are the best candidate to protect the interests of the nation’s students, teachers and schools. Yet YOUR actions, rhetoric, and policies advanced by YOUR Secretary of Education are frequently at odds with the faith the NEA gave you.

The recent passage of H.R. 2218, the Empowering Parents Through the Quality Charter Schools Act by the House of Representatives is equally troubling. The nation’s teachers are not alone in their condemnation of this potential federal mandate to implement Charter Schools in every state.

The Association of School Administrators has also raised concerns that H.R.2218 will harm the commitment to properly fund public schools by siphoning money through the voucher system to private charter schools falsely labeled as “Public Charters”.

While some effective charter schools exist, significant fraud and abuse of the public trust has occurred across the nation among charter schools and their operators. We are witnessing a re-segregating of our nation’s schools in the areas of:

1. Race
2. Class
3. Ability
4. Sexual Orientation
5. Language

We are equally concerned that the interest of corporations and wealthy individuals has corrupted education policy in a way which will irreparably change the focus of education from one of success, learning, and accomplishment for children; to one designed merely for profit by corporations.

We the undersigned feel that a unique opportunity exists for you to reaffirm your commitment to education for all of America's children by vetoing H.R. 2218.

Your veto will be a clear signal that you are not taking the side of corporate money and Wall Street hedge-funders. It will be a firm gesture that indicates your genuine concern for the nation's children, teachers and schools.

Sincerely,