Education has proven to be the main driver of reducing crime, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, gentrification, and many other challenges our society faces. In communities of color, the disparity in education is amplified due to poor economic conditions, underperforming schools, and the higher percentage of single-parent households. To turn this around we need to address issues both inside and outside our education system.
We must fund education. Period. The delays by our state legislature to not fund our Washington schools only prolongs the disparity in classrooms as well as diminishing the success of all students. Today in Seattle, we have a deficit of 600 classrooms. This is leading to over-crowded classes and higher teacher-student ratios. There is simply no better investment we can make in a community than a high-quality education for all students.
Currently, our education is misaligned from the needs of our economy. Local companies desperately need computer programmers, trades people, maritime workers, transportation workers, and culinary and hospitality workers. Yet, our current education system only serves as a launching pad to college. We must build the educational conduits to fill these high-paying jobs as part of how we tackle education disparity.
Our society is also faced with two growing problems: single-parent households and retiring baby boomers who are becoming increasingly isolated. One way we can address both of these issues is by connecting single-parent homes with our aging neighbors to create win-win relationships where the children of single-parent homes can find assistance with child care. At the same time, isolated seniors would get a needed connection to the community around them.
Solutions:
- Build a foundation of data capture and strategy measurement to drive city investment.
- Teach leadership skills in all Seattle classrooms so every student will have the skills and the confidence to be successful.
- Develop skills centers and learning programs to teach computer programming, construction skills, maritime skills, culinary and hospitality skills to meet the needs of our economy.
- Emulate Boston’s Pre-K Program - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URZkGPwcsn0
- Emulate Chicago’s University of Chicago Charter School - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs5OkpBUuwA
- Emulate New York’s Small School System - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv_7Cybyz-4
- Amazon-Sponsored Schooling for programmers
- Starbucks-Sponsored Schooling for food industry
- Fred Hutch-Sponsored Schooling for Healthcare Research
- Trade School Development and Apprentice Programs
- Plumbers
- All teachers must have a team approach to ensure all students receive the education they need to be successful.
- Strategy collaboration and development
- The collaboration of lesson plan development among all teachers.
- Pre-School and Elderly Care programs. Expand these programs in neighborhoods of color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K3H2VqQKcc
