SRES-764-119
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2705; text: CR S2702)
Sponsored by Tim Scott (R-SC)
What it does
This resolution congratulates students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools across the United States for their contributions to education. It expresses Senate support for the ideals and goals of the 27th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 10–16, 2026) and encourages Americans to hold programs and activities during that week in support of public charter schools. The resolution has no binding legal effect, creates no new law, and does not appropriate any funds.
Who benefits
Approximately 3.7 million students currently enrolled in public charter schools, along with their families. Charter school teachers, administrators, and staff who receive formal congressional recognition. Charter management organizations and advocacy groups whose mission is elevated by Senate endorsement. Indirectly, communities in the 270+ school districts where charter enrollment exceeds 10% of public school students.
Who is hurt
No group is directly harmed by a commemorative resolution. Indirectly, traditional public school advocates and teachers' unions may view the resolution's favorable framing of charter schools — without equivalent recognition of traditional public schools — as a symbolic slight or as lending congressional credibility to the charter school model over other public school models.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that public charter schools serve 3.7 million children — a more than five-fold increase since 2002 — and that a 2023 Stanford University (CREDO) study found low-income charter school students gained the equivalent of 16 additional days of reading instruction per year compared to peers in traditional public schools. They contend that formal Senate recognition appropriately honors educators and families who have built a proven, tuition-free public school alternative that serves some of the nation's most disadvantaged students.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that a Senate resolution endorsing charter schools without equally recognizing traditional public schools — which educate the vast majority of American children — represents a one-sided use of congressional prestige to advance a contested education policy preference. They contend that charter school performance is uneven across states and operators, and that the CREDO study cited in the resolution reflects selective findings, while other research shows mixed or negative effects on surrounding district school funding and enrollment stability.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issues are raised by a non-binding Senate resolution. The resolution does not appropriate funds, impose conditions, or regulate conduct, so the Spending Clause, Tenth Amendment, and Religion Clauses are not implicated here.
Checks and balances
The Senate expresses a symbolic, non-binding opinion; no branch gains or loses authority, and no executive action or judicial review is triggered by this resolution.
Historical precedent
The Senate has passed similar resolutions recognizing National Charter Schools Week in prior Congresses, making this a routine annual commemorative action.