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Engage parents by establishing parent involvement initiatives in each school.

Too many parents are driving into the future by looking in the rear view mirror. They think that a high school education-or worse yet- dropping out is acceptable. They do not understand the economic consequences. The US Department of Education has compiled a range of successful school based initiatives to get parents involved.
For example, Parent Connect in Marshalltown, OH uses the Internet to keep parents informed of how their students are doing.

Focus on New Basic Skills education in middle and high schools.

These skills include the ability to manage information, solve problems, and work in groups. An increasing number of states and community colleges are turning to the work skill assessments. These voluntary assessments guide parents, children and schools in preparing their graduates with the right basic skills and work habits. High Schools the Work, a successful initiative of the Southern Regional Education Board, points the way for this type of initiative.

Jane Campbell will also encourage teacher internships in local businesses.

These internships have been used successfully in cities like Omaha to introduce teachers to the skills needed in today's workforce.

Encourage high school competitions in science, math, engineering and entrepreneurship.

As Mayor, Jane Campbell will publicize the importance of technical and business education to the future of our city. She will promote existing competitions, like Math Counts, and she will establish new competitions, such as a business plan competition for both high school and college students.

Provide responsive, high quality technical education options by encouraging employer training consortia.

We can accelerate experimentation in each school by encouraging employer consortia to help guide our young people. These consortia will develop and test a wide range of public and private initiatives for increasing the quantity and quality of school-to-work transition programs, job-related training, career clusters, career academies, work skills development, and continuing education.

Encourage the adoption of manufacturing skill standards and certification programs in high schools.

Manufacturing careers can provide a solid future for a large number of high school students. The National Skill Standards Board and leading states, like Kentucky, are promoting the adoption of skill standards in secondary schools.

Reduce dropouts by establishing clear targets for each school and inviting the business community to embrace a Communities in Schools initiative ineach school.

About 40% of Cleveland's ninth graders will never complete high school. The earnings prospects of high school drop outs are worsening day by day.
Look at it another way. We are allowing 14, 15 and 16 year old adolescents to make the single most important economic decision in their lives, typically without adult supervision. This is a $300,000 to $500,000 lifetime decision. The National Dropout Prevention Center can help our schools develop practical, clear initiatives. One particularly strong candidate is Communities in Schools.

Establish a comprehensive K through 14 system in Cleveland.

Using articulation agreements and joint programs, Cleveland can establish an effective K-14 school system. This initiative reflects an essential truth in today's workplace: Every child needs post secondary education if they are to enter the middle class.

Use distance education initaitives to expand high school course offerings and teacher training throughout the City.

Distance education technologies open the door to new learning opportunities. With corproate and foundation support, the Campbell Administration will push these new technologies in two important directions. First, we will ensure that our gifted students can take the most advanced courses available, regardless of the school they attend. Second, we will provide professional training oppportunities for our teachers.