By Fritz Edelstein
February 9, 2004

Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell opened the Education Standing Committee meeting by describing improvements achieved by the Cleveland Public Schools in the last three years. These include increasing attendance to 94 percent, increasing the graduation rate from 25 percent to 50 percent with a goal of 75 percent by 2010, and improving the district's academic status from "emergency" to "academic watch" determined by the Ohio State Department of Education.

Pending Legislation

One of the primary topics discussed during the Committee meeting was pending reauthorization legislation before the Congress. Laurie Rich, Assistant Secretary of Education for Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, described the legislative agenda as "a lot undone and a lot to do." She informed the committee that Congress is discussing three different education bills. They are the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Perkins Act (Vocational and Adult Education), and the Higher Education Act (HEA).

IDEA

Assistant Secretary Rich stated that IDEA has passed the House and is scheduled to go to the Senate floor in March. Senators Bill Frist (TN) and Ted Kennedy (MA) have had all of the holds on the legislation removed, and negotiated time and amendment limitations when the bill is considered by the Senate. However, there are some significant language differences between House and Senate bills that will need to be ironed out during the conference in the areas of discipline, capping of attorneys fees, paperwork reduction, process to designate a special education child, teacher quality, and smoothing out rehabilitation services. President Bush has already announced that he will request an additional $1 billion for special education in his FY 05 budget proposal.

Higher Education

The House passed the HEA in sections but it has yet to be addressed by the Senate. The Senate will consider the bill as one unit. Rich pointed out some of the key policy issues being discussed by both houses, including Pell Grants, community colleges, controlling rising tuition, teacher quality, and loan forgiveness. For the first time, Congress is considering tying amounts of student financial aid to the percent rise in a college's tuition. The institutions will be held accountable if the rise in their tuition is greater than the rate of inflation. It is possible that the bill will reach the Senate floor this year, but Hill staffers are not sure it will be completed during the current session.

Perkins Act

Rich stated that Congressional hearings are scheduled for the Perkins Act later this winter. The act focuses on career and technical education issues. There will be a great deal of interest in what will be done with high school reform, tech prep and other technical training programs. The President's remarks during his State of the Union speech focused on workforce development and training as major issues. The Administration's proposal includes blending the Tech Prep program into the standard state formula grant program rather than remaining a separate program. Also, an effort is being made to tie career and technical education programs more closely to standard academic programs in schools rather than remain separate. To help provide a better understanding of the President's Jobs for the 21st Century Proposal and the Perkins reauthorization, Rich announced that the Department will hold seven regional summits on high school reform around the country. More information will be provided when the summits are announced.

After School

Of special interest to mayors is after school (21st Century Community Learning Programs). Rich stated unequivocally that the Administration "is not backing away from after school." Funding for the program in FY 04 will be at $1.005 billion, an increase of $5 million. The Department's priority is to improve existing and newly funded after school projects by focusing on the dissemination of best practices and model interventions, provision of technical assistance, creation of networks to support local programs and continuation of Department'sponsored summer institutes.

No Child Left Behind

In response to questions on issues and problems with the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, Rich stated there would be no effort on the part of the Administration or Congressional leadership to make any changes to the legislation or open it up for amendments.

Also mentioned by several mayors during the discussion was the importance of early childhood education and what was being done legislatively. Concern focused on readiness for school so that students can achieve the goals established as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act.

New Challenges

New Business Council Member Scholastic, Inc. made an important presentation on adolescent literacy and reading. Scholastic Senior Vice President Ernest Fleishman and Scholastic Education President Margery Mayer stated that "education is everybody's business" and "we are all accountable." They added that, "if kids do not unlock reading, they will go no where." Attending mayors were further challenged by a question of "what can we do?" There seems to be three answers: don't give up on the kids; don't overcrowd the agenda; and don't allow an agenda of abandonment.

This is the premise for Fleishman's and Mayer's proposal to the Committee to create a partnership between Scholastic and the U.S. Conference of Mayors that would elevate reading as a high priority within cities. The partnership will provide mayors with a significant leadership role in increasing opportunities for urban children to learn to read and access to books. Without this basic skill one cannot surf the Internet, understand a math or science text, or be employed in today's technology and information age. More specific details about the partnership are being developed and will be announced by the end of February.

It was also pointed out that addressing reading early and building this skill is the best intervention to reduce dropouts in middle or high school. Adolescent literacy programs are critical to preventing middle and high school students from dropping out if there has been little effort in the lower grades.

Gary Goldman, President and founder of the International Quality Leadership Institute in Chicago believes that it is critical for mayors to expand their engagement and involvement with the youth in their cities and make them feel more a part of the community. His premise is that if we treat youth with dignity and respect, and include them in discussions on issues of importance, they will feel a part of the process and members of the community. Goldman's approach helps bridge the divide, increases involvement, and reduces violence and gang participation. He is working closely with Palantine Mayor Rita Mullins and the Illinois Municipal League to establish a comprehensive program in the state as a model for other cities and states.