William "Dock" Walls Answers: As Mayor of Chicago, How Will You Fix Education?

Chicago - We asked each mayoral candidate how they would fix education in the City of Chicago if elected. Each candidate was given the same 13 questions. We've posted each candidate's response, in his or her words, in their entirety, un-edited.

Candidate: William "Dock" Walls III
Website: www.wallsformayor.com
Email: dockwalls2@aol.com
Campaign address: 47 W. Polk St. | Chicago, IL | 60605
Campaign phone: 312.525.0010

1. What criteria will you use in selecting the next CEO of the Chicago Public Schools?

As soon as I am elected, I will empanel a Blue Ribbon Committee of educational community activists, parents and members of the Chicago Teacher's Union to conduct an unlimited search to identify the most desirable candidates for Chicago Public Schools Superintendent. Many of us, who are committed to the improvement of CPS, have often criticized Mayor Daley for consistently supporting the appointment of business-first Chicago Public Schools model headed by a CEO. We maintain that the next head of CPS should have an Illinois Type 75 administrative certificate and, therefore, be eligible for appointment as a education-first Superintendent. That Superintendent can then hire a CEO to assist with the management processes.

2. What will you do to keep the students who are in Chicago Public Schools safe?

As Mayor I would take immediate action to improve our Public Safety services and make certain everyone feels safe at home, at work, at school and on the streets of Chicago, anytime of day or night. I would declare a meaningful State of Emergency. Pursuant to that declaration, I would institute a series of specific actions to immediately alleviate the root causes of increased crime and thereby reduce the danger. We would conduct high visibility Outdoor Roll Calls in and around high crime areas: Conduct Outdoor Police Academy Recruit Training sessions in and around high crime areas: Stop all Police Parking Ticket writing activities to enable them to concentrate on crime prevention: Limit Police Traffic Court appearances to those involving personal injury, auto damage, DUI, drugs or weapons: Replace the vast majority of sworn officers presently assigned to office and desk duty with civilians and assign more officers to street beat patrol. The Daley Administration consistently implemented policies which result in a reactionary police responses. My administration will engage in proactive policing. Thus, we will increase the use of Crime mapping and data analysis to determine times and areas where crimes are more likely to occur. We will beef up patrols in those areas during those times. Where there is presence there is deterrence. Thus, we will increase foot patrols with a special concentration on the parks and schoolyards. One goal is to make certain our children feel safe while at play. Another goal is to enhance friendly interaction between police officers and our youth in hopes that they will develop mutually respectful relationships with lasting effects. We will implement Flex Districts which maintain beat assignments, while allowing officers to provide support in neighboring Districts. We will hire police without discrimination, so that all citizens of Chicago have an equal opportunity to serve this great city. We will allow Cease-Fire and other community based programs to conduct conflict resolution activities within the schools and, thereby, alleviate problems before they spill over into the streets.

3. What significant activities/steps/policies/transformation will you implement in the Chicago Public Schools to improve teacher quality and preparation for both pre-service and experienced teachers to meet the needs of every student in their classroom? Where do you stand on recently drafted legislation that challenges districts to keep their best teachers in the classroom by using data like actual student growth and other measures, rather than solely basing those decisions on seniority?

Prior to assuming their classroom duties, pre-service and experienced teachers will be invited to attend seminars to hear presentations by local Educational community activists and others who may help to indoctrinate them and acquaint them with the culture and mindset of that particular community. I am opposed to the recently drafted legislation. I favor and will support a Seniority based teacher assignment and retention model.

4. How will you evaluate and study the outcomes of your proposed activities/policies/steps/transformation on student achievement and the learning environment? What role will student test scores play?

Students will be graded according to their willingness to learn, ability to complete assignments, understanding of subject matter and their progress on an individual basis. Student Standardized test scores will play a greatly diminished role under my administration.

5. How will you create an effective partnership between students, parents, teachers, administrators, CPS staff, community organizations, the Chicago Teachers Union and the Board of Education to create an excellent learning environment in our schools for all students? Specifically, what do you think of the proposal to severely restrict the ability of teachers unions to strike? And how would you rewrite rules for teacher tenure?

As Mayor I will restore the concept of a central Board of Education Office. This will allow our Board, Administrators, Principals and Teachers to better communicate and collaborate. The immediate goal is to make the Education system exciting, productive, entertaining and interesting. Irrespective of the level of parental support or involvement, or lack thereof, we must completely educate all children, and expose them to all of life’s intangibles; including the arts, music, history, humanities, languages, civics, vocations, technology and sports . We will empower students to perform critical and analytical functions; and thereby enable them to appreciate their limitless potential. Many students drop out of school because they do not feel safe from gangs. We will remove the barriers to attendance and make our schools safe for all students. Also, we will abandon the “One size fits all education concept”that fails to recognize the individual needs of each student. We will take the time to assess the needs of each individual student. I favor the Teacher's right to strike. I also favor Teacher Tenure based upon the number of years of successful service.

6. Would your administration support the expansion of quality charter schools in the district and how would you address the concerns some have about transparency and parental oversight? What role do vouchers have in improving the education opportunities for Chicago students?

I do not favor an expansion of Charter school. First and foremost, Charter schools are not required to provide Performance Bonds which would ensure educational operations even if a Charter school suddenly goes bankrupt or otherwise is forced to close its doors. If this were to occur at some time other than prior to the beginning of the school year, the parents of the affected students would be forced to find an alternative educational institution. According to study findings, students forced to change schools, would lose the equivalence of six months of education. Therefore, existing charter schools should be regularly audited and the results of those audits should be revealed so that parents and members of the public can make informed decisions relative to charter schools. I do not support any school voucher proposal. If provided vouchers, everyone would seek to enroll their child in the best schools. The line at the entrance to those coveted schools would be long. Given the culture in Chicago, those with money and clout would have n advantage in enrollment. Children of parents with no clout would be relegated to enrollment in the lesser schools. My goal is to make every school exceptional. Under my administration, Parents will be able to close their eyes and send their child to any school with confidence.

7. How would your administration target chronically low-performing schools beyond increased funding supports? And how would you address the rightful concerns regarding increasing the community's engagement in how to address their neighborhood's lowest performing schools?

We will provide tutoring, social skill development and increased recreational activities in an effort to achieve normal educational accomplishment in chronically low-performing schools. We will constantly engage in outreach to parents and guardians and host Town Hall meetings to acquire input from concerned members of the surrounding community. Through this vehicle, we hope to find solutions to the problems that plague students in low-performing schools.

8. As mayor, would you support extending the school day and school year? How will you make it a priority for change in the 2012 Chicago Teachers Union contract and in communications with state policymakers? And how would you pay for it?

State law requires that Chicago Public Schools convene and complete 176 school days per year. Last years we only had 170 actual school days. I would certainly support an increase in the number of actual school days. Longer hours should entail one additional hour of education and concept reinforcement, as well as one hour of social engagement to enable students to become familiar with one another. My administration will offer naming rights as one means of paying for the increased number of school days and longer hours. Corporations and individuals will be invited to pay a one time capital fee and yearly program fee for the privilege, with no strings attached. These entities would have no input in school programs or curriculum.

9. What innovative ideas are you planning to lead to improve learning experiences for our city's youngest citizens?

To enhance the learning experience we will utilize instructional Video Games and high tech simulators similar to those used to train NASA astronauts and military personnel. Additionally, we will use i-Pads, Kindle's, Whiteboards and a wall of monitors which would allow the teacher to evaluate student progress in real time and instant message directions, instructions and helpful hints students.

10. If you had a child with special needs, what would your expectations be at the school he or she attends?

My son has a hearing impairment. His Chicago Public Schools experience was made successful by caring teachers and therapists. All parties were professional and they met our highest expectations.

11. What role will programs for gifted, high-performing students play in schools under your administration? How will the programs be enhanced or cutback?

Within the framework of the one common curriculum, we will enhance the gifted program for students who thirst for greater educational challenges.

12. With intensifying external pressures to "achieve", schools can be tempted to focus exclusively on subjects that are explicitly tested on state and national tests, resulting in significant scaling back on arts programming. In addition, the current fiscal climate makes funding arts teachers -- and the materials associated with the arts -- an "extra". Should schools be forced to scale back on this programming, due to their testing focus or budget challenges?

My administration will use ingenuity and creative means to continue the arts programs in schools all across School District 299.

13. Should the mayor send his or her children to public school? Why?

The Mayor should send his children to public school. A leader must lead by example. Additionally, few could question the Mayor commitment to a superior public school education for all children if his own children attend those schools.
 

The survey questions were contributed by the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago in partnership with the following organizations:

• Illinois Network of Charter Schools
• Teach for America
• Advance Illinois
• The Urban Education Institute, University of Chicago
• Nettlehorst School
• Illinois PTA
• Golden Apple Foundation
• Joyce Foundation
• Stand for Children Chicago
• Park Community Church
• Microsoft
• Renaissance School Fund
• United Neighborhood Organization
• First Five Years Fund