Mayor Brown's Education Summit, Feb. 28 & March 1, 2013
Mayor Alvin Brown focused on strengthening parents’ roles in their kids’ education at his two day education summit on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2013.
The summit, a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office and Duval County Public Schools, featured an appearance by famed comedian and education activist Dr. Bill Cosby. The initiative continued the positive momentum in public education engendered by a host of recent successes, including better graduation rates, better school grades and unprecedented community activism.
Final Report: Mayor Brown's Education Summit
As part of Mayor Brown’s vision and actions to enhance educational opportunities for Jacksonville’s youth, the summit brought students, teachers, administrators, elected officials and community partners together in an effort to spur action supporting the summit’s theme, “Increasing Parental Involvement.”
Education Summit, Day One
On day one famed comedian, actor and education activist Dr. Bill Cosby visited with students throughout the city. Dr. Cosby visited First Coast High School, Raines High School and LaVilla School of the Arts as part of his tour. Day One of the summit was capped off by a performance by Dr. Cosby at the Florida Theatre.
See photos from Dr. Cosby's visits to Duval Schools.
The “Opening Act” for Dr. Cosby was a Drum Line Competition featuring teams from four local schools: Duncan U. Fletcher High School, First Coast High School, Jean Ribault Middle School and William M. Raines High School.
See photos from the Drum Line Competition.
Bill Cosby is well known for his commitment to education. He emphatically believes that the best assurance for a satisfying and rewarding life begins with knowledge. Cosby himself went back to college, long after he had achieved much of his success to obtain a masters degree as well as an Ed.D. He has, in fact, applied this further education in his professional life.
Education Summit, Day Two
The summit’s second day was hosted at the Jacksonville Main Public Library and focused on the theme of parental involvement. Florida Times-Union Editor Dr. Frank Denton moderated a morning panel discussion, which also included Mr. Gary Chartrand, chair of the State Board of Education, several Duval County Public School Board members and other community leaders. Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti gave a special presentation on establishing a parents’ academy as a means of increasing parental involvement.
View photos from Day Two of the Education Summit.
Tony Miller, the deputy secretary and chief operating officer at the U.S. Department of Education, was the keynote speaker at the event.
The afternoon session featured five mini-workshops designed to explore specific areas of enhancing education in Jacksonville. These workshops included topics such as mentoring, energizing community and faith-based organizations, building a culture that values and celebrates young women, developing "early early" learning strategies from cradle to preschool, and promoting tools to help parents become more involved. The workshops concluded with chair and co-chair reports, and then the summit wrap-up with Mayor Brown issuing a call to action.
Resources
Have a question or need clarification? Contact Cedric Cruse at (904) 630-7258 or
ccruse@coj.net.