By Providence (RI) Mayor David N. Cicilline
July 28, 2008

Polling data tell us that, when it comes to education, the public wants to hear more from candidates for office, and see more action from their elected officials. Furthermore, it is the public’s sense that locally elected officials, especially mayors, have a key role in improving public schools.

The polling numbers are striking. A near majority of voters say that they look for a candidate’s stand on education when they step into the voting booth. This year’s poll by the Public Education Network (PEN) speaks primarily about Presidential candidates, but previous polls for PEN reveal that anyone running for office – for city hall to the state house or the White House – must speak up about what they will do to make schools better and show how they will be accountable for progress. If they fail to do so, they are risking never reaching the office they seek, or losing the public trust.

What does mayoral leadership look like? There’s no single way of being an education mayor, because transforming a public education system is not a matter of touting the next new thing you will do, or taking the mantle of school superintendent along with all the other tasks in the mayor’s domain.

An education mayor earns the title by doing some not very glamorous things. They have to work consistently and comprehensively to coordinate services, promote better transparency in government and demonstrate steady progress to rebuild trust in schools, and encourage a culture of accountability for students, educators, and the community.

An education mayor does whatever it takes to make the city an “education city.” In an education city, every child is everyone’s responsibility and knowledgeable citizens preserve democracy by exercising it.

To create an education city, mayors build a sense of urgency and catalyze action, leverage new resources, invite leadership from the business community and other sectors, unite people around the needs of our schools and young people, and better coordinate public services to make schools work more effectively. These are all leverage points that can make our schools more productive and effective. Each of these actions are crucial to helping restore public confidence in the city’s education system. Also, behaviors matter as much as actions. Mayors also must:

• Set the vision and public agenda that includes a comprehensive series of actions and public accountability for reaching goals.

• Be a champion for all young people, all schools, and all neighborhoods.

• Build trust and momentum by demonstrating consistent progress and delivering on promises.

• Invite citywide participation in the mission to improve schools and to take responsibility for the success of all young people.

• Challenge business and the public to become more accountable for their roles in building confidence and raising performance.

• Create opportunities for the majoirity of the residents who don’t have children in schools.

Transparency is a big buzzword in government today. Mayors can urge all citizens to take responsibility for schools and create a transparent process for public involvement in these efforts. Mayors need to take the temperature of the city, engage the public, measure the civic health of their community, and provide a framework for community action.

For me, significant and meaningful public engagement has been a hallmark of my work since before I was elected mayor. As mayor, I know how crucial it is for elected officials to work with communities to ensure we have quality public schools.

Since I was elected Providence’s mayor in 2002, activity in all of my city’s 25 neighborhoods has reawakened. That definitely includes public school reform. One example, our local education fund in Providence has helped launch the Olneyville Community School, an initiative to connect schools to neighborhoods and professional communities that support student and family achievement. This effort is a national model for its emphasis on significant and meaningful community involvement.

Quality public schools form the backbone of quality communities and mayors have a key responsibility in ensuring that public schools provide quality educational opportunities for its children.