City of Seattle Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

NEWS ADVISORY
SUBJECT:   Mayor Announces Do More for Kids Strategy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    9/12/2002  1:07:00 PM	FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Mayor  (206) 684-4000

Mayor Announces "Do More for Kids" Strategy
New budget insists on funding programs that prove effectiveness

Seattle- Appearing at the school named after teacher Aki Kurose, Mayor Greg Nickels today announced a strategy to do more for Seattle’s children by demanding positive results from city departments and city-funded agencies.

As part of his forthcoming budget for 2003-2004, the mayor says programs intended to help young people must measure their efforts and show positive results. The mayor’s new budget protects the city’s investments in children and sets a goal of getting more for dollars spent.

Programs should always prove their effectiveness but especially now when city revenues have slowed and times are tough for families, the mayor said.

"The City spends about $40 million on children and youth services for 85,000 kids. Yet some of our children, especially low-income children and children of color, are struggling," Nickels said. "We need to make sure our investments truly make a difference in children’s lives. It’s clear we’ve got a lot of work to do," he added, citing disturbing statistics.

• Almost 39 percent of Seattle Public Schools’ high school seniors last year did not graduate on time. Numbers were worse for students of color.
• Fewer than one-third of the city’s public school 10^th graders met standards on all four WASL tests. Students of color scored disproportionately lower
• Children, especially low-income and minority kids, are entering kindergarten with serious deficiencies in pre-reading and pre-number skills.
• Infant mortality for African Americans is three times the rate for whites, according to statistics compiled between 1996 and 2000.

.The mayor’s new initiative has three goals:

• Improve school readiness, health and safety of the city’s children
• Hold those who receive city funding (city departments and non-profit agencies) accountable for achieving measurable results
• Focus city resources on programs that get results

"Instead of the McDonald’s approach – number of children served, we need to focus on how WELL each child is served," said Nickels.

The mayor’s program will accomplish its goals in three ways:

1. Contracting with the new Communities that Care program to identify needs of children with greatest challenges—and give parents a role in picking programs that work best for their kids.

2. Requiring performance measures for any city-funded programs.

3. Holding agencies accountable by tracking, measuring and reporting progress using a nationally-regarded analysis model.

"Our children deserve our best. I've told city departments I want specific ways we can measure progress. I want to see real differences in infant mortality, graduation rates, test scores, school readiness and more," said Nickels. "We will work with the school district, local foundations and community organizations to get this done. And we will make real differences in people's lives."

Attached is a brief policy paper on the mayor’s initiative. Other information about the mayor’s initiatives can be found at the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor

 

Doing More For Kids

Many of Seattle's young people are being left behind
Seattle spends about $40 million on children and youth services for 85,000 kids. Overall Seattle's children are doing well when compared to other major cities.  But some, especially low-income children and children of color, are struggling.

• Many children entering kindergarten have serious deficiencies in pre-reading and pre-number skills, with minority and low-income kids falling behind the most.
• In spring 2002, fewer than 28% of all Seattle Public School 10th graders met standards on all four WASL tests. Results for students of color were disproportionately lower.
• Seattle Public Schools data shows that almost 39% of students in the class of 2001 did not graduate on-time from high school. The numbers are worse for children of color. For example, more than half of Latino students do not graduate on time.
• From 1996 to 2000, the infant mortality rate for African Americans was three times the rate for whites and the disparity is increasing.

Mayor Nickels insists on results
Mayor Nickels’ proposed budget preserves the city’s ongoing investment in programs for children and youth. But when revenues are tight, it’s especially important to shift the discussion from spending levels to achieving results. Mayor Nickels’ budget for programs for young people sets clear goals in education, health and safety and measurable outcomes. Mayor Nickels will insist on progress or funding will be shifted to more effective programs.  

The Mayor’s goals:

• Improve school readiness (improved day care, nutritional programs, family support programs) and academic success (better performance on WASL tests and higher graduation rates).
• Hold accountable city department and non-profits who receive funding from the city. Accountability will be based on various measurable outcomes/targets, such as graduation rates, juvenile delinquency statistics, WASL scores, etc.
• Focus city resources on programs that work.

1. Focus attention on city-funded programs targeted at youth. Insist that program directors provide /require those programs to establish performance measures. The City will evaluate which programs achieve the best results.
2. Contract with Communities that Care (CTC) to help identify and quantify the needs of children who have the greatest challenges in specific neighborhoods. Parents suggest which programs work best for their kids. The City will establish a pilot program in at least two communities where need is greatest.
3. Hold agencies accountable by tracking, measuring and reporting on progress using COMPASS, a nationally recognized tool for problem solving and decision making. COMPASS will allow the City to set specific performance targets in the areas of school readiness, academic achievement, health status, and youth safety and security.

Success depends on partnerships
Success depends on everyone – City government, parents, youth and community members – joining together to focus on what works. A shared effort helps "raise the floor" so that a greater number of our youth enter adulthood with the tools and confidence they need to live fuller lives.

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Mayor's Office

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