Nathan Fletcher today released a bold yet achievable plan to place San Diego on the forefront of innovation and create the educated, dynamic workforce needed to grow a healthy, robust economy. “Our city cannot achieve its economic potential without an educated workforce,” said Fletcher. “Innovation in education will be the key to everything we do.”
The plan lays out four goals: achieving digital excellence by ending the digital divide in San Diego, promoting workforce development by expanding internships and on-the-job training for students, allowing lower-performing schools another opportunity for success, and encouraging more parental involvement and better inter-government collaboration with city schools.
Fletcher unveiled his plan at Qualcomm, where he was endorsed by CEO Dr. Paul Jacobs. “Nathan Fletcher represents the kind of forward-looking leader San Diego needs,” said Dr. Jacobs. “He is committed to improving education so our children can compete in the global economy. Nathan has a plan to improve our schools and the ability to get it done.”
Fletcher called for the creation of the Mayor’s Education Foundation tasked with implementing his agenda. The Foundation will be made up of parents, students, teachers, school district representatives, and other education stakeholders.
“Education is an economic and moral issue. As mayor, I commit to working hard each day to ensure our kids have high-quality public education and access to the American Dream,” said Fletcher. “Education is the responsibility of every elected official at every level of government, and one I take seriously. My boys will attend public school in San Diego, and I want them and all children in San Diego to have the skills necessary to compete for the jobs of the 21st Century.”
The Foundation will be charged with four specific goals:
1) Achieving digital excellence by ending San Diego’s digital divide,
The Fletcher Administration will work to end the digital divide in San Diego by 2016. This means every K-12 student in San Diego will have access to a computer device and the Internet. To accomplish this, the Foundation will build on what non-profits like Computers2SDKids and the San Diego Broadband Initiative are already doing, and partner with technology companies to ensure every child has access to technology.
“Ending the digital divide is an achievable goal that will have a real and positive impact on the children of San Diego. It will allow for education 24/7. I commend Nathan Fletcher for proposing this plan and look forward to working with him to make it happen,” said Randy Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools.
2) Promoting workforce development by expanding internship and on-the-job training for students,
“An educated, dynamic workforce is the key to San Diego’s economic health and prosperity. Nathan Fletcher’s plan for education is solid, achievable, and will ensure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future. In order to grow our innovative, diverse economy and the kinds of jobs that will keep San Diego competitive for years to come, we must have the strongest local education system possible. Nathan has shown me that he not only has a plan but the ability to get it done, ” said Mark Cafferty, President, San Diego Economic Development Council
3) Allowing lower-performing schools another opportunity for success by implementing pilot programs and developing specialized academies. The plan builds on the knowledge Fletcher gained on his 10-month education listening tour with Council President Tony Young. Fletcher will task the Foundation with establishing test programs to implement some of the best ideas from the tour including:
- Inspiring “students first” models like Los Peñasquitos Elementary School’s No Excuses University,
- Dedicating schools and establishing programs to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education,
- Increasing student access to technology, and
- Increasing the opportunity for parent and community involvement.
“Nathan Fletcher has visited Los Peñasquitos Elementary School on several occasions and knows what can be done when schools embrace exceptional systems designed for student achievement. The Fletcher education plan details the commitment and priority to support students and prepare them for their future in a global society,” said Deanne McLaughlin, Principal, Los Peñasquitos Elementary.
4) Increasing interaction with parents, city schools, and government entities. We will ensure the City of San Diego increases its level of communication about education with other government entities. As mayor, Fletcher will lead the effort to get elected officials and agencies at all levels of government involved in the conversation. Finding ways to maximize savings from joint use projects will benefit the City of San Diego, school districts and regional government assets. As mayor, Fletcher will also make appointments to Boards and Commissions to provide a voice for education and guarantee education is a part of all conversations. What we do at the city, county, and federal level has ramifications for future generations of students.
To read the full plan, click here.