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Resolutions Adopted at the
67th Annual Conference of Mayors
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 11-15, 1999 |
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JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
PUBLIC EDUCATION: THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIES
WHEREAS, Mayors recognize the importance of a quality public education system
for their cities and our nation; and
WHEREAS, the economic vitality of a city is linked to the performance of its
schools and well-trained and well-educated workers contribute to the economic development
potential of a city; and
WHEREAS, education can no longer be thought of as solely what occurs in the
classroom but rather what happens before, during, and after school, and on weekends; and
WHEREAS, mayoral involvement in educational partnerships can produce significant
improvements in local public schools; and
WHEREAS, all mayors, regardless of the level of control over their school
system, should play a leading role in the community calling for greater accountability and
results; and
WHEREAS, it has been nationally recognized that innovative ideas developed at
the local level are transforming education; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the President must put aside their partisan differences
and develop education policies that are truly beneficial to our nation’s children,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors believes that
the federal government must be a full and legitimate partner in the process of creating
the best education system in the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors believes that the
entire community -- teachers, parents, students, business leaders, community-based groups
and faith-based groups, individuals and institutions, and local, state and federal
officials must be held accountable for the success of public education; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors believes that federal
policies must contribute to making all schools the safe havens they were meant to be, with
a safe, healthy and productive environment free from drugs, violence and guns and other
weapons; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports
federal and state policies that promote greater use of flexibility and local control,
increased accountability and responsibility, and provides an adequate and realistic level
of federal and state obligation and commitment to education; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports federal and
state policies that call for the elimination of social promotion, in conjunction with
essential federal programs -- such as after-school and summer school -- that provide
at-risk students with the critical assistance they need to succeed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the passage
of laws that require the federal government to live up to its commitment and obligation to
support forty percent (40%) of the cost of special education; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the
reauthorization of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act, with greater flexibility
and targeting directly to students most in need; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the
bipartisan continuation and expansion of federal policies that reduce the ratio of
students to teacher in the classroom; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the passage
of federal and state policies that promote literacy, and that ensure that all students are
reading at grade level by the completion of the third grade; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports
federal and state policies that improve the quality of teacher training and professional
development and enhance teacher retention; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports
federal and state policies that expand and enhance quality before- and after-school
programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports
federal and state policies that expand and enhance quality summer school programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports
federal and state policies that expand and enhance quality early childhood intervention
programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports a
federal government role and commitment to the urgent national need -- plaguing urban,
suburban, and rural communities -- for school construction and renovation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports
federal policies that recognize that programs and resources, including Title I, should be
made available directly to large school districts, rather than further exacerbating state
bureaucracies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports
federal and state policies that assist communities in addressing student truancy problems;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors applauds the private
sector for its current involvement in public education, and challenges the business and
philanthropic communities to participate in even more significant and enduring ways, such
as in the areas of technology, teacher training, mentoring and school-to-work initiatives;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors will continue to
support federal policies that better prepare all students -- whether those pursuing
advance post-secondary degrees or those going directly to the workforce -- to be better
prepared for the jobs of the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors will continue to
support federal and state policies that encourage outreach to parents to support parent
involvement in their child’s education.
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