We're going to see a revolution in education very soon in our country and city. Where is this reform revolution coming from and how might it change education in Seattle?
First, parents are increasingly fed up and aren't going to take it anymore. Silence is no longer an option. This is especially true in poorer neighborhoods and among children of color. The failure of one-third of our students to graduate from high school is a tragic and despicable mark on our city.
Second, political leadership here and across the country is coalescing around a very strong push for education reform. This demand for reform is coming from the grassroots and from important leaders like President Obama. (Read David Brooks' opinion piece on Obama's pivotal leadership.) It's coming from local education leaders, including members of
the Seattle School Board, and some of my colleagues on the City Council. Political advocacy groups have sprung up around this issue, such as Democrats for Education Reform. Political momentum for change is gaining strength. Today's Meet the Press on NBC included a fascinating segment (beginning at approximately the 19th minute) that featured Education Secretary Arne Duncun and two political odd fellows: Rev. Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich. Watch the video if you need to be persuaded that political leadership is forming on this issue.
How can we take advantage of this push for reform in Seattle? Public school education is not the direct responsibility of the City government; that's the task of the Seattle School District. But, the quality of public education in our city is crucially important for our economic stability and growth, for public safety, for social justice, for the cohesiveness of our neighborhoods and for our children. The City of Seattle has a vested interest in making sure our schools work, that they graduate students on time and ready for life. And that's exactly why the Council will elevate education on our agenda in 2010 and beyond.
Last week, along with several other City leaders, I took a quick trip to New York City for a conference on how to replicate the success of the Harlem Children's Zone in cities across the country. Founded by Geoffrey Canada, the Harlem Children's Zone has had great success in turning around schools in a specific geographic neighborhood of Harlem. The results are stunning and very inspiring. Canada's model may be applicable in parts of Seattle.
Over the next few weeks, we will begin work on an agenda for reform in Seattle. It will start with the formation of a Citizen's Advisory Committee to begin work on renewal of the Families and Education Levy which expires in 2011. At the same time, the Council will continue its work with school board members, the Superintendent and the Levy Oversight Committee. In December, the Council will be briefed by the principal of Mercer Middle School, Andhra Lutz, on the highly successful turnaround she and her staff have achieved on Beacon Hill. (Read my post about my recent visit to Mercer. All my previous education-related posts are here.)
Get ready. This is going to be an exciting and productive ride as we move public education forward on behalf of our children.