Resolutions Adopted at the 66th Annual Conference of Mayors | SUPPORTING READING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND MENTORING IN CLASSROOMS

JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE

SUPPORTING READING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND MENTORING IN CLASSROOMS

WHEREAS, the success of public school systems in educating their students is an important measure of the quality of life in American cities; and

WHEREAS, public school systems are now being judged by their success in educating all students to the highest levels in literacy as measured by reading test scores; and

WHEREAS, this new task requires new skills in teaching of reading on the part of school teachers and administrators in elementary and secondary schools; and

WHEREAS, American cities are committed to working in partnership with school systems, teachers and communities to achieve a successful education for all children,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the U. S. Conference of Mayors calls for funding for a two-part initiative to train all teachers in the teaching of reading appropriate to the age level of their students:

PART ONE: Funding for the development of weekend and evening reading certification programs at the graduate level targeted at practicing teachers in middle and high schools as well as for lower and upper elementary school teachers to ensure these programs include mentors to work with the teachers in the teachers' classrooms to integrate the new skills and strategies into the teachers' classroom practice;

PART TWO: Funding for tuition assistance to teachers enrolling in these programs, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U. S. Conference of Mayors urges President Clinton and the Congress to work together to support and encourage effective and meaningful programs which involve partnering of local governments, school districts and higher education institutions to meet the pressing need to provide teachers with the new skills to meet the education challenges of the information economy.

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