By David W. Burns, USCM Intern
September 25, 2006

Mayors know, as the chief locally elected official and community leader, that they have the ability to make things happen and bring people together on an issue that affects the city. Recently, more and more mayors have expressed their concern about the quality of public education in their city and have used the bully pulpit to bring attention to the need to improve and transform the city’s public schools.

One way mayors can continue to bring visibility to education is to join a new national campaign “The Give Kids Good Schools Week” beginning October 16-22. The “Give Kids Good Schools” (GKGS) national campaign is designed to inform, engage and mobilize elected officials, parents, local businesses, and other organizations about our public schools. Through the campaign, GKGS intends to help educate the public about their local schools. It also intends to increase awareness across the country about public education and what one can do.

Mayors can have a significant role in education in their city. By participating in this campaign, mayors can raise the level of awareness of and involvement in their local public schools. The campaign’s website offers helpful tips and resources to start or participate in the campaign. Mayors can use GKGS as a platform to communicate their education vision, priorities and message on the importance of improving education for the future vitality and growth of their city.

Mayors who wish to participate can go the campaign’s website to obtain information on how to be involved – http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org or call the campaign directly at 202-628-GKGS. This campaign provides a platform for mayoral advocacy to improve education in their city.