Resolution 00-13
A National Model for Safe Schools And A Public School Partnership Focused On Closing The Academic Achievement Gap Among Minority Students
WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators recognizes that in America's urban schools. (1) one out of every three middle and high school teachers reports discipline as a major classroom problem (2) 25% of the typical middle and high school teacher's day is spent dealing with behavior of disruptive students, (3) one out of every three 9th graders have been retained and (4) approximately 50% of students enrolled in the 9th grade are not completing the 12th grade; and
WHEREAS, it is a priority of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators to seek effective solutions to the growing problem of violence on many school campuses across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators recognizes the unacceptable gap in academic achievement among minority students in our large, urban public school systems as indicated by the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress report, and
WHEREAS, with the leadership of the Black Caucus of Texas and Pennsylvania a valuable national model has been developed in Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia via a partnership between Community Education Partners (CEP) and the Houston Independent School District, the Dallas Independent School District, and the School District of Philadelphia to provide safer schools, lower dropout rates and achieve greater academic results for all students in these communities -- particularly represented by a minority student population.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE 24TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS, ASSEMBLED IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 2, 2000, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators through the sponsorship of the Black Caucus' of Texas and Pennsylvania, recognizes Community Education Partners and the leadership they represent in bringing a promising solution to the problems of school safety, escalating dropout rates, and in closing the academic achievement gap among minority students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators encourages its members to explore the development of similar partnerships between CEP and the public schools in member communities for the purpose of creating a national safety net for students in our nation's schools; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the National Caucus of Black State Legislators is committed to being an advocate for alternative public education, such as the model developed between CEP and the Houston Independent School District, the Dallas Independent School District, and the School District of Philadelphia that offers the promise of improved school safety and improved educational outcomes for students who are disruptive, performing below grade level, who have been retained one, two or three years, who are not earning grade promotion or course credits at a pace that will allow them to graduate on time, and who are likely to drop out of school, that this resolution be dispatched to the superintendents and board presidents of each members' public schools and other districts are appropriate.
Sponsored by: Senator C. J. Prentiss (OH)
Committee/Task Force of Jurisdiction: Elementary and Secondary Education
Senator C. J. Prentiss (OH), Chair
Ratified by Plenary Session, Friday, December 1, 2000. Ratification certified by: Representative James Thomas (AL), President.