Update

April 24, 2008

President Bush Addresses White House Summit on Faith-Based Schools

Saying that the country's inner-city faith-based schools are closing "at an alarming rate," U.S. President George W. Bush called on Congress and elected officials at the state and local levels to help preserve such schools and to extend "lifelines of learning" to the children they serve.

At the White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools, the president said religious schools are "a glorious part" of the nation's history. "We have an interest in the health of these centers of excellence; it's in the country's interest to get beyond the debate of public/private, to recognize this is a critical national asset that provides a critical part of our nation's fabric in making sure we're a hopeful place."

The president said that between 2000 and 2006, nearly 1,200 faith-based schools closed in America's inner cities, affecting nearly 400,000 students and placing an added burden on public schools.

"In neighborhoods where some people say children simply can't learn, the faith-based schools are proving the nay-sayers wrong. These schools provide a good, solid academic foundation for children. They also help children understand the importance of discipline and character," Bush said.

Visit the White House Web site for a transcript of the president's remarks, a fact sheet about the summit, and audio and video recordings of the event.

Private Education: Good for Students, Good for Families, Good for America

Sign up for CAPE's free email updates!

Joe McTighe

Executive Director

email: update@capenet.org

phone: 301-916-8460

web: http://www.capenet.org