BILL NUMBER: SCR 58 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT RESOLUTION CHAPTER 28 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 2, 2004 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 25, 2004 ADOPTED IN SENATE FEBRUARY 9, 2004 INTRODUCED BY Senator McPherson JANUARY 29, 2004 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 58--Relative to California Private School Recognition Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 58, McPherson. California Private School Recognition Day. This measure would declare each March 22 to be "California Private School Recognition Day." WHEREAS, California's private schools are significant partners in the education of the greater public, educating 10 percent of the state's pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive; and WHEREAS, More than one in four schools in the state offering instruction in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, is a private school; and WHEREAS, California's private schools save taxpayers more than $5 billion annually through the private financing of facilities and provision of instruction; and WHEREAS, Private education in the state enjoys a tradition spanning four centuries, originating with the early Mission schools of the 18th century; and WHEREAS, California's private schools are religious and secular; large and small; urban, suburban, and rural; progressive and traditional; independent and networked; thus helping to fulfill the ideal of educational pluralism; and WHEREAS, The diversity found in California's private schools offers parents and pupils a broad range of educational options; and WHEREAS, California's private schools are committed to the achievement of academic excellence while endeavoring to meet the intellectual, social, moral, spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each child; and WHEREAS, Whatever their particular orientation, California's private schools uphold and promote the values of public participation, civic responsibility, and service to community; and WHEREAS, California's private schools are ultimately accountable to the parents who choose them; and WHEREAS, The graduates of California's private schools, as informed, productive, and involved citizens, have made countless positive contributions to their respective communities, the state, and the nation; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes each March 22 as "California Private School Recognition Day," in appreciation of the significant contributions made by California's private schools to the benefit of the state; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of California and to the author for appropriate distribution.