Seattle Forward

Record Number of Children Rescued From Prostitution

Seattle police officers and detectives have so far rescued 45 children, age 17 and under, from being prostituted this year.  That's a record number, highest in the United States.  Last year, 30 children were rescued.

The problem of children forced into street prostitution in our region is well documented.  One of my proudest and most gratifying initiatives since joining the City Council is the successful launch of the safe-haven residential treatment facility where these kids can begin to get their lives back.  The Bridge, the program's official name, opened a few months ago.  Five

The Case for Education Reform

UPDATE: August 31, 2010
Good news announced last night.  Read Seattle Times story here.

PREVIOUS POST: This will be a pivotal week for Seattle public school children.  We will learn this week whether the school district and the teacher's union are able to reach agreement on very important reforms that could transform public education in Seattle. 

The stakes are high.

Remember the facts: In Washington State, almost one-quarter of high school students don't graduate.  In Seattle, nearly one-third fail to graduate.  A comprehensive study of the Class of 2006 revealed that only 34% of Seattle high-school graduates demonstrated the baseline skills needed to be successful in college.  By 2018, it is projected that 67% of all jobs in Washington will require post-secondary education. 

The graduation and prepared-for-college statistics are unacceptable.  In fact, we've lived with them for far too long.  The schools district's proposed reforms represent a reasonable first step.  They are certainly not a panacea, nor will change happen overnight.  But they will introduce greater accountability and form the basis for student improvement. 

I Have A Dream

I have an antidote to conservative activist Glenn Beck's rally that took place yesterday on the Mall in Washington, D. C.  The rally was held 47 years to the day after the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his now famous "I Have A Dream" speech (sermon) at the Lincoln Memorial.  So in the spirit of rallying Americans, I have two suggestions.

First, listen to the audio of Dr. King's speech.  I especially like listening only to the audio because it allows me to form a mental picture of what it must have been like that day in 1963 when King stirred the nation.  King's commanding performance seems more powerful every time I listen.

Second, read Seattle author Drew Hansen's book, "The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech That Inspired A Nation."   Drew's book lays the groundwork for King's speech, providing interesting insight into the theological and political underpinnings.  It also tells the fascinating story of the road that led to Washington and how King assembled the speech from his life's work.  A great read, one that will inspire, motivate and ground the reader in King's philosophy of engagement and political action. (Watch Hansen describe and read from his book in this CSPAN video.)

Cutting Crime Through Design

Mayor McGinn is hosting a crime prevention seminar focused on street, sidewalk and open space design factors that are proven to reduce crime.  The details are here for this seminar in Seattle tomorrow evening.

Mayor Norm Rice: Wisdom on Ed Reform

Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice weighed in this morning on education reform and he nails it!  Read his piece in The Seattle Times.  Thank you for standing up for our children, Mayor Rice.

The potential benefits of education reform—including linking student performance to teacher evaluations and compensation—far outweigh maintaining the status quo.  The Seattle proposal  for teacher evaluations includes safeguards that the teachers' union itself proposed—a 4-level rating system and multiple evaluators (not just principals as is the case today).  Those parts of the proposal that link student performance to teacher compensation will only apply to new teachers; current teachers can voluntarily choose to be part of the new system or stay with the current method.  (Here is a independent, side-by-side comparison of the proposed contract from the school district and the teachers' union response.)

Education reform is more than teacher evaluations and compensation.  What's needed is a thorough reexamination of how we deliver public education and hold those responsible—administrators, principals, teachers, support staff—for the results. No one suggests this is

Wrong-Headed and Dangerous

The New York Muslim community center fiasco just won't stop.  The problem isn't the center itself, it's the reaction from some Americans who are wrapped up in fear, anger and hate.  Frankly, it's embarrassing.  Whatever happened to religious tolerance and the freedom to worship?  Come on, Republicans, remember the Constitution?

Today's New York Times carried two excellent opinion pieces that put this fake "crisis" into perspective.  Nicholas Kristof shows how the whole affair plays right into the hands of Osama bin Laden and Frank Rich traces the beginning of the controversy and the role of Fox News.

I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago here.  

Education Reform for Our Children

The reform of public education is one of the most important issues we must tackle.  My colleague Richard Conlin and I presented part of the case for reform in an opinion piece that ran a couple of weeks ago in The Seattle Times.  Response to the Times piece was mixed; many of the people responding at the Times website or to me personally were negative and accused me of attacking our teachers.  (The economic argument in favor of strong reform measures in Seattle was presented by local business leaders yesterday.)

The reforms needed in public education involve the entire system, not just teachers.  Everyone involved in public education—administrators, principals, school board members, and teachers—is responsible for the system we have today that routinely fails a third to one-half of our children.  There is enough failure for everyone to share.

Chief John Diaz Confirmed

The City Council voted this afternoon 8-0 (Conlin excused) to confirm Mayor McGinn's appointment of John Diaz as Chief of Police.  As part of his confirmation, the Council sent this letter of expectations to Chief Diaz.

Prior to the Council's vote, I shared the following comments with my colleagues:

Today, we vote on the confirmation of John Diaz as Seattle’s chief of police.  Compared to other cities of our size, confirmation of a police chief doesn’t happen here very often.  The last time was 10 years ago when Gil Kerlikowske was confirmed as Chief.

The last permanent chief appointed from within the ranks of the police department was 36 years ago when Mayor Wes Uhlman chose Robert Hanson.  Chief Hanson was confirmed by the City Council on a razor thin 5 to 4 vote.  All of the police chiefs following Bob Hanson came from outside Seattle. 

America's Strength: Tolerance and Creativity

Many Americans have been shocked that a government commission in New York City gave the go-ahead this past week to an Islamic community center, including a Muslim worship facility, just two blocks north of Ground Zero.  They wonder why the government of New York City would allow such a facility so close to the site of the World Trade Center towers that were attacked by terrorists in the name of Islam.  Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on that terrible day.

I had a different reaction.  I wondered whether a Christian or a Jewish group would be able to build such a facility in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan or Iran or Iraq.  No, they likely wouldn't.  The religious freedom we have in our country has fostered a religious pluralism that is something to be cherished and celebrated.  And it points to something else as well—a tolerance that has bred creativity and strength.  Thomas Friedman says it better than I can in this piece in the New York Times from last Wednesday. 

Investing in Our Children

Yesterday morning I spent time with 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls in summer school. Operated by Rainier Scholars, the summer sessions are part of a 14-week immersion program designed to strengthen academic proficiency, teach organizing skills, and set the kids on a path to college.

I visited three classrooms: American history (Frederick Douglass, slavery), English literature (Shakespeare and Homer's Odyssey), and mathematics (algebra).  I saw seasoned teachers in control of each classroom, peppering their students with questions, engaging in dialog, walking around.  The students were engaged, attentive and excited to be there.