City Hall as Catalyst

How a mayor can help improve education.

By Ron Gonzales

In the 21st century, cities that successfully prepare their children for success in life will become the true winners. We must ensure that our young people can take their places as productive members and leaders of our communities, so that we can remain competitive as a nation.

The stakes are high. This is why mayors of large American cities have a special obligation to our public schools. We cannot ignore this important responsibility; we must embrace it. We know that we need quality schools where children can learn; without them, the quality of life in our cities and our nation will decline.

As mayors, our challenge is complex. Most of us are not educators. Most of us do not have direct responsibility or authority in our local school systems. Despite these limitations, we are important players in the lives...