Number
150353
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. STAMPER, HAMILTON, COGGS, DAVIS AND WADE
Title
Substitute resolution designating August as the Annual Eye on Education Month in Milwaukee.
Analysis
This resolution designates August as the Annual Eye on Education Month in Milwaukee to bring awareness to the community of the importance of education. This resolution also urges all city residents, educators, schools, colleges, and universities to join in the effort to promote statewide education awareness.
Body
Whereas, Education is critical to meeting basic human needs, achieving equity, building capacity and providing access to information; and
Whereas, Education awareness is an effective way of addressing critical issues, such as the racial academic achievement gaps and ensuring that all students gain equal education and career opportunities in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Gaps in academic achievement result from such factors as income and wealth inequality, access to child care and preschool programs, nutrition, physical and emotional health, environmental factors and educational attainment; and
Whereas, According to a 2014 report by Center for American Progress, titled The Economic Benefits of Closing Educational Achievement Gaps, if the United States were able to close the educational achievement gaps between native-born White children and Black and Hispanic children, the U.S. economy would be 5.8% ($2.3 trillion) larger in 2050; and
Whereas, The educational achievement gap impedes academic success for students in Wisconsin by decreasing the probability of students attaining higher education; and
Whereas, According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, in 2007, Wisconsin had the largest Black-White achievement gap in the nation; and
Whereas, Academic achievement gaps between Black and White students and between Hispanic and White students are consistently higher in Wisconsin than in other states, and higher than the national average; and
Whereas, According to a 2013 report conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Black students are about seven times more likely to leave high school prematurely compared to Whites; and
Whereas, In Wisconsin, Hispanic and American Indian students drop out of school at a rate of one in four; and
Whereas, Education awareness is essential in preparing youth for the workforce and the changes in the structure of the economy, which require educated workers; and
Whereas, According to a 2012 report titled, The Future of the U.S. Workforce, by Achieve, Inc., by 2018, 63% of all jobs in the nation will require some kind of postsecondary education and training, meaning that American students need this education and training to remain competitive in the global economy; and
Whereas, The Georgetown University Center on Education estimates that 33% of Wisconsin jobs will require a bachelor’s degree or higher by 2018, and 61% of Wisconsin jobs will require postsecondary education by 2018; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council designates the month of August as Annual Eye on Education Month in Milwaukee to bring awareness to the community of the importance of education; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council calls upon the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with all Milwaukee Schools, to promote the Annual Eye on Education Month; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council urges all city residents, educators, schools, colleges, and universities to join in the effort to promote statewide education awareness.
Drafter
LRB 156254
La-Wanda G. Fletcher
06/19/2015