With or without authority over local school districts, municipal officials in both large and small cities across the nation are partnering with school officials and other community stakeholders to improve local public schools and enhance student academic achievement.
With nearly one-third of students failing to graduate from high school on time, city leaders can work with school district officials and community partners to intervene with students at risk of failing to graduate and expand options and alternatives for students who struggle in traditional high school settings.
In a 21st century global economy, a college degree or advanced training beyond high school is required for the best-paying and fastest-growing jobs. To attract high-paying jobs to their communities, municipal officials are playing leadership roles in efforts to boost postsecondary completion rates by coordinating assistance from a range of agencies.