EDUCATION

David strongly believes that quality public education is essential to our children's future success. He supports the goals of NYC's Contracts for Excellence for all New York State students: class size reduction, teacher and principal quality initiatives, additional instructional time for students, high school and middle school restructuring, and access to full-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs.

David will support legislation with the following considerations in mind:

• A great education depends on talented teachers. To keep gifted teachers in NYS, we must increase their pay.
• All children are entitled to superior early schooling and should have the opportunity to continue on through high school and college.
• New York must close the achievement gap between students in affluent and impoverished districts.
• All children must be provided with skills to compete in the new global economy.
• All students deserve a safe place to learn.
• A restructuring in the way schools are funded is essential.

www.aqeny.org
www.cfequity.org
www.truemajority.org
www.citizenaction.org

The University of the State of NY's "Call to Action"

Every child will get a good start. - This requires, for example, prenatal care, child health care, family literacy through libraries and other institutions, pre-school programs and full-day kindergarten for all. And these programs have to work together.

Every child will read by the second grade. - We know enough now to do this. It requires systems to spread that knowledge to all teachers of young children and parents, and continued research to extend what we know. It means screening programs and reading strategies based on scientific knowledge. It requires leadership from colleges, universities and schools that prepare teachers, and joint effort between schools and libraries.

Everyone will complete middle level education ready for high school. - This requires a combination of leadership, instruction, support, and connections with families to enable all children to grow both academically and as caring people. In concrete terms, it means eliminating the problems of low academic achievement by the end of 8th grade.

Everyone will graduate from high school ready for work, higher education, and citizenship. - This requires consistent expectations from higher education, schools, employers, parents, teachers and others, and clear communication with students. It requires help from cultural, professional, and community groups to foster literacy; a focus on students in danger of dropping out and on schools with low graduation rates; action to boost attendance; individual attention for young people with weak skills; and connecting student interests with a rigorous curriculum that includes career and technical education. In the long run, this also means that we must redesign high school.

People who begin higher education will complete their programs. - Graduates will be well prepared for careers and possibly the professions, and ready for participation in public life and a fulfilling life in general. This means that colleges and cultural, professional, and community groups will support strategies already proven in higher education opportunity programs: academic support, guidance, and tutoring. It requires financial commitment to stronger institutions and tuition assistance to keep college affordable. It means investing in our capacity in mathematics, science, the arts, and the other disciplines.

People of all ages who seek more knowledge and skill will have the fullest opportunity to continue their education. - New York must encourage people to take full advantage of our educational and cultural institutions (not only schools and colleges but also libraries, museums, archives and public broadcasting) and ensure they can accommodate all who want to use them. We must strengthen existing connections among these institutions and schools and colleges.

Contributions to David Weiss 2008 are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Paid for by David Weiss 2008, State ID # A37119. P.O. Box 100, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
© 2008 David Weiss 2008. All rights reserved.