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Mayor Francis G. Slay Honored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools with 2010 Champion for Charters Award

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100428/DC95221LOGO)

"Mayor Slay is a real leader, one who has embraced charter schools as a way to bring accountability and innovation to the system of public schools in St. Louis. His work to invite charter school operators into the city will bring more families the opportunity for a high-quality education," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "The Alliance is proud to recognize Mayor Slay as a true champion for the charter school movement."

"Every student deserves a high-quality education," Slay said. "There is no reason for students to be trapped in failing schools when charter schools can open new doors for parents and their children who deserve quality schools."

St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay is a vocal advocate for increasing the number of charter schools in the city. His work to attract high-quality charter operators to St. Louis - and support them during the application development and approval process - is a national example of how mayors can directly engage in improving their city's public education offerings.

Annually, the Champions for Charters awards recognize public officials for leading a major public charter issue or initiative, serving as a highly visible public charter school advocate, and consistently supporting charters as a high-quality public school choice option.

Slay joins three other distinguished public officials as an honoree for 2009:

    --  U.S. Representative Jared Polis, Colorado (D - Colo.)
    --  Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana (R )
    --  State Senator Wayne Kuipers, Michigan (D - 30th)

Charter schools are independent public schools that are free to be more innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement. They foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to innovate and students are provided the structure they need to learn.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (Alliance) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools