JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AMERICA’S CITIES

WHEREAS, the Mayors Conference on Public Schools -- held in Washington, DC May 6-7, 1998, continued to build upon a series of U.S. Conference of Mayors events focusing on mayoral commitment to public schools; and

WHEREAS, in particular mayors discussed how they can exhibit leadership in setting the public school agenda and the importance of partnerships and support of the private sector, police, education community, community-based organizations and federal and state entities; and

WHEREAS, an agenda for action was drafted which includes specific recommendations for five key areas:

• Mayors as Leaders in Setting the Public School Agenda -- Using the position of mayor to form coalitions and partnerships, leverage resources
• Ensuring Quality Education -- Accountability, preparation of teachers and students, reducing class size, and curriculum standards
• Encouraging Private Sector Commitment to Improve Schools -- Business efforts in investment, technology and marketable skills to improve the quality of public school education
• Community Involvement in Public Schools -- Steps that can be taken by police, educational institutions and community organizations to increase community participation and safety
• Federal and State Roles -- Ensuring that federal and state governments support city-wide efforts to improve education,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors adopt as its policy the action agenda included in Strengthening Public Schools in America’s Cities, the report produced by the Washington meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors continue efforts to improve and ensure the quality of public education as a priority activity in the coming year.