Recently, I set forth my work plan for the next two years. In it, I talk about the Five T’s of Tucson’s economy: technology, trade, transportation, tourism and teaching. If the word “teaching” seems out-of-place in a discussion about our local economy, it shouldn’t. Businesses want to locate in communities where the quality of education is high. They want a good education for their children and they want a well-educated workforce. The question I hear most often from executives considering relocating their companies to Tucson is, “How good is your education system?”
Mayors in Arizona don’t govern their cities’ schools, but that doesn’t mean education shouldn’t be a priority for city leaders. If a city is going to attract young families, it must have a good education system. Fortunately, Tucson’s school district superintendents are committed to providing children with a quality education.
Still, many Tucsonans struggle with basic reading and math skills, and many more lack high school diplomas. These are circumstances that lead to poverty and—too often— result from poverty. Many of our schools lack the resources they need. But coming together to address these challenging, complex problems is what successful communities do. We must improve educational outcomes across the board, for all Tucsonans, not just a lucky few.
Literacy is a way out of poverty. Making sure all kids can read should be society’s priority. Children who read at grade level by 3rd grade are far more likely to obtain high school diplomas—an employment necessity. We can help kids learn to read by expanding programs like Reading Seed, which pairs trained volunteers with struggling readers in kindergarten through 3rd grade. We can help parents teach their kids to read by expanding programs like Teach the Parent, Reach the Child. To encourage more kids to read, I created the Mayor’s Reading Challenge, a web-based program that helps kids, their parents and teachers track and reward time spent reading.
Getting more students to graduate high school or go back and get a GED, through dropout prevention and recovery programs, will also improve our community’s economic outlook. High school graduates are far less likely to be unemployed, underemployed, or go to prison. Key to dropout prevention is school attendance—tracking absences and intervening when necessary. Kids who miss school fall behind, and many drop out. For those who do drop out, alternative programs like GradLink 2, available throughout Pima County for those ages 17 to 21, allow students to earn a high school diploma in a flexible, customized environment. We can also work to reduce barriers to getting a GED. Tests are expensive, and not everyone can afford to take them without financial help. I’m working with the Pima Community College Foundation and the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson to set up funds to do just that—help low-income Tucsonans pay for GED testing.
Most critical to a strong education system is adequate funding. Money doesn’t guarantee good education, but if used correctly, it sure can help. There is wide consensus among business and community leaders that money invested in teaching is money well-spent. But Arizona continues to rank near the bottom in per-student spending. This means larger classes, lower-paid teachers and fewer resources to help our kids succeed. A recent survey showed K-12 teachers spending nearly $500 out-of-pocket on supplies for their classrooms. This must change.
One of the lessons of SB 1070 was that a mobilized business community can help steer our legislature away from dangerous political extremes. Businesses in Arizona—and those considering moving here—have everything to gain by lifting Arizona from the bottom in state funding for schools. If our state lawmakers are to change course on this critically important issue, it will likely take an organized effort of business leaders—one I’d gladly do what I can to support.
The quality of Tucson’s schools and teaching is reflected in the opportunities offered our graduates—many of whom go on to fill demanding jobs in the public and private sector, in Tucson and around the world. Teaching may be the Fifth T on my list of Tucson’s economic drivers, but it’s the one that supports all the rest. Employers want a skilled workforce. They want good schools for their kids and their employees’ kids. In short, they want what we want. Let’s make sure we give it to them.
This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2014.
Time for more folks to speak up, get out your writing pens and support with letters and actions those who are bent to protect real public education in our communities. Public education that we control with elected school boards, tax override elections and open school board meetings where public input is welcome. I feel one of the problems with support for public education (District Schools) in Arizona is the disconnect so many people have that have retired and relocated here.
Many seniors have no history or involvement with our local schools. They just know the schools exist and are on their property tax bills. What each and everyone of us must realize is properly funded public schools are the protection of the value of our homes. The value of our property is directly tied to the public schools in our area. Anyone relocating and buying a home looks at the schools in the area before they buy. Homes in districts of highly rated schools sell faster and for higher prices than poorly rated schools with buildings in need of repair.
Ask any real estate sales person, one of the first questions a prospective buyers asks is, in what school district is the home located. To protect and maintain the value of our homes, we must reserve public financing for our schools.
If we want the best use of our tax dollars the dual system of public education dividing our public funds for what has become a false choice of public charter schools and private schools must end. Not to harm them in anyway, but to expect them to be financed by the people that choose to use them. With limited funds and so many public needs our first priority must be the schools in our districts within our control. It is only reasonable for us to expect our elected representatives to work with us to protect our property values, our investments in our homes with state funds to our local district schools. Don’t allow anyone for any reason to pollute our environment, dirty our water or air, contaminate our food or destroy our schools through lack of proper funding.
Enlist seniors to protect and enhance property values, point out the advantages to our young people the value to their own futures and jobs in our community with completed educations. It must be a community effort, just keep working and building support among all of our people.
Sure, JUST throw more money at it…. Tucson is headed the way of other Failed Liberal Experiments. If the “Public Schools” are to be fixed, Get the Unions out, Bring back Discipline, Throw out “Common Core”, and get back to basic teaching, RRR.
Don’t you get it folks, the troglodytes who the morons elect want to keep Arizona’s education system in the crapper for a reason.
It’s the only way to keep the electorate stupid enough to keep re-electing them.
And just look how well it’s working.
Stronger schools will help kids learn how to spell “Commentary.”
The first step to attract business and jobs is to remove the homeless skum! Pass and vigorously enforce a no outdoor lodging ordinance and the worthless skum will move on to LA or some other bleeding heart community. Then you can take the lines off the sidewalk.
Stupid is as stupid does!
Sounds like a great program Mr. Mayor. Reading is the keystone of education, and you have to make it fun.
“T is for trouble. Trouble, trouble, trouble.” – Sesame Street, 1992.
Keep it simple Johnathan. All that alliteration helps us.
Hey Mayor R. You can’t have a city that’s an “Immigrant Welcoming City” and have great schools at the same time. The answer to the first line on paragraph three…is this..60% Hispanic students in TUSD and over 45% Hispanic population in Tucson. When your city is compared to Detroit you have a problem. By the way go fix some potholes then you can go and blabber about the bad schools here.
I used to teach in Yuma, lots of exper at the front of the classroom. Loved it. Parents interfere too. Principals don’t back their teachers, running scared – too much. School Boards should ONLY set policy and stay the hell out of the school rooms – period. School Unions – get lost and stay away from Board Members period. Isolate every group from everyone else. The kids and the teachers should be able to bond together and no one gets in the way – NO ONE. There, (I said it, and I’m glad)
Hey Mayor R, Guess you need to call Mr. Sanchez head of TUSD and ask him about the inside deal on that contractor that was all over the Arizona Daily Star on Sunday. About the same level of Sunnyside School District bullshit.
We are nothing more than a crappy little Mexican village.
Bob Regan,
Great bigotry and non sequitur. It’s clearly the fault of your version of the 3Rs that make the school system known as TUSD so “amazing”. Next time you have to remember to breathe, try to forget.