From left, Ester R. Fuchs, director, Center for Urban Research and Policy, professor of political science and policy; Lisa Anderson, dean of the School of International and Public Affairs; Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and David N. Dinkins, former New York City mayor and SIPA senior fellow.

While delivering the keynote address for the seventh annual David N. Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum, on April 23, United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) announced her intention to introduce a teacher recruitment amendment to the federal education bill.

Clinton noted that she plans to present the bipartisan amendment to the Senate this week during debate. "Republicans and Democrats alike recognize how crucial teachers are to the success of any education endeavor," said Clinton, who first introduced the National Teacher and Principal Recruitment Act, which would provide scholarships and bonuses for the recruitment of up to 75,000 teachers a year, particularly in high-need school districts, on March 7.

"There could not be a more fortuitous time to have this conference," said Clinton of the forum, entitled Urban Education: Making New York City Public Schools Work for the Community.

Regarding the necessary improvements for urban public education, Clinton, who also pressed for increasing school resources, said, "There are no more excuses. We have to find the solutions and have the political will to implement them."

The Senate will address the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act this week, which will affect how much money is allocated to the nation's grammar, junior high, middle and high schools. The Act has not been reauthorized since 1994.

Clinton noted that passing tough accountability standards for schools without distributing resources first is akin to "handing out thermometers in the middle of a plague." She believes federal funds must be provided before expectations can be made on achievement. Also necessary, she said, is a community and parental effort to help children improve performance. "Parents are the first teachers of every child," said Clinton. "Parents have to take responsibility and help children access the resources available."

Acknowledging that many of the problems in schools have existed for decades, Clinton insisted, "None of that should be an excuse. None of that should force us to walk away and throw up our hands." She also noted that modern issues, like dwindling attention spans among students, must be addressed. Referencing one teacher who said she believes her students watch her, appearing mentally to be flipping channels with a remote control, Clinton said new methods and techniques must be used in the classroom to achieve success with today's digitally-minded youth.

Also in attendance at the forum, held April 23 at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), were David N. Dinkins, senior fellow, Center for Urban Research and Policy at Columbia, SIPA professor and former NYC mayor; Congressman Charles Rangel, dean, New York State Delegation; Randi Weingarten, president, United Federation of Teachers; Harold O. Levy, chancellor, NYC Board of Education, and Paul G. Vallas, CEO, Chicago Public Schools.

The event received support from Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch & Co., and PENCIL.

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