11-12-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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HEALTHY Y O J T H / H E A L T H Y C L T I S S Cities and Schools Education is central to every city's quality of life and economy. Although most municipalities have very little jurisdiction over the public schools, mayors and city councils recognize that it is in their best interest to work with schools to strengthen the education of their youth. ducation must be seen as much more than what happens in school rooms between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It starts in che very early years of life and extends throughout adulthood. Education in a healthy com- munity includes a continuum of life -long teaming, each phase of which brings many benefits co the community. Municipal governments have the opportuniry co piav sig- nificant roles in every aspect of this continuum. from participating in helping children enter kin- dergarten ready to succeed, co achieving success in school and graduating, to making a successful transition to che world of higher education and che adult world of woric, family, and commu- nity, and beyond. Holmes Braddock, long -time member of the Dade County Board of Education and former President of the .National School Boards Asso- ciation. states chat the most important thing cit- ies can do co help children achieve better in school is co `help that chid get ready co go co school so chat che edu- cators can do their job. If we had kids come co school basically healthy and well- nounshed. from cnme -tree and clean neighborhoods. they would be much more ready to learn." While municipalities may nor be directly in- volved in schooling, they have a major and direct role in ensuing chat schools understand their role and are ac- tively Involved in building the learning community. By John E. Kyle What can cities do? There are many examples of excellent individual city programs that exemplify how municipalities can play a role in turthenng educational out- comes for their communities and work produc- tively with their schools to achieve their goals. As concern for the state of our children —our future work force mounts, cities are realizing chat isolated efforts and good intentions must be transformed into more institutional and holistic approaches. In some large urban cities. local and state concern for improving the public educa- tion system has translated into broad new au- thority for the mayor to administer and reform the schools. That is not likely to be the solunon in most cities. Instead. changes in federal and state responsibilities will likely place further pressure on local governments co respond locally with new and creanve collaborative arrange- , merits. There are three basic arenas in which cities can play important roles in improving educa- cionai opportunities and student achievement: within city hail in the community. and in parmership with the school distnct. All three are necessary as- pects of a hoiisnc ap- proach chat reaches beyond projecnns" —she dreaded disease char creates Isolated quits tiff projects instead of lasting, :nsnrunonai responses. Within city hall. Local officials can make the most direct impact by ensuring :hat the cuirure within AUGUST 1 Page 64