The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools kicked off its seventh annual celebration of National Charter Schools Week earlier this month by presenting its first-ever Champion for Charters award to four public officials: Governor Bill Owens (R-CO); Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA); State Representative Ralph Arza (R-Miami); and Mayor Bart Peterson (D-Indianapolis).

The public officials were selected based on the following award criteria:

• Championed a major public charter issue or initiative, particularly over the past year
• Serve as a highly visible public charter school advocate
• Consistently supports public charter schools as a quality school choice option and/or policy

As a state senator, Colorado Governor William “Bill” Owens was one of the co-sponsors of Colorado’s original charter law in 1993. Since being elected governor in 1998, he has remained a consistently strong advocate for public charter schools. He signed legislation in 2004 that created the Colorado Charter School Institute, which provides charter applicants with another alternative when they seek to open a school in a district that isn't charter-friendly. He also has supported the provision of funds for charter school capital construction.

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, of Louisiana, has served as a strong advocate for charter schools over the last several years at the federal level. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she has advocated that charter schools serve as the backbone for rebuilding New Orleans’s dismantled public education system.

Florida Representative Rafael “Ralph” Arza has sponsored several pieces of charter legislation in recent years. He is currently leading the effort to pass a first-of-its-kind multiple sponsor bill in Florida.

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson is the nation's only mayor with the authority to issue charters for new public schools. By looking at best practices from around the nation, the mayor has established a model of accountability and a supportive charter financing program. He is also building partnerships in the community to strengthen leadership capacity.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (www.PublicCharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement.

National Charter Schools Week was celebrated May 1-6.