01-25-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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In addition to reorganizing at ihe state level, we will offer incentives to local officials, Community Action agencies, schools, parents and non-profits to forge a new partnership around the needs of children and families. Our budget proposal, which will be unveiled in 12 days, will include $10 million dollars in new grants to be awarded to communities who develop collaborative ways lo help children and responsible families succeed, and who make a commitment to measuring results for children. Because education is such an important part of our children’s lives, we invite educators to join in a dynamic partnership with the whole array of other children’s services. To do this, we will propose that the education services currently provided by the Department of Education be incorporated into the new Department of Children and Education Services. This new department will carry forward the commitment we have made to make our education system one that is driven by results. We have talked about standards in education long enough. It is time to rake action. To set standards. To set them high, and to measure the results. Having serious, measurable standards will assure us that no child will slide through high school without basic skills. These new benchmarks ultimately win bring a more individualized approach to teaching and learning, because once these standards are in place, the state is going to step back and simply send the money and resources educators need to help students achieve this level of competency. No more micro-management. No more state regulations about how many hours of French or geogr:^)hy a child needs. We wiU stop piling on our teachers every social goal that should be delivered by families, churches and other institutions. We are going to let local schools do their jobs. We will free teachers up to teach. Our focus at the state level will only be on outcomes We will ask the Department of Children and Education Services to determine and assess educational standards so that by about the 10th grade, our students will have masteied a rigorous set of academic skills. As students pass through this gateway of achievement, we can be assured that every one of them has the basic skills needed to proceed on to the nezt level. 8