Education = Empowerment.  It is a simple equation that is taken very seriously here in Hartford.  Education can improve the quality of life of residents because it is the great equalizer of our society--- helping to level the playing field for the economically disadvantaged.

Education has made a great difference in my life.  Perhaps that is why this is such a passionate cornerstone of my administration.  I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and from college.  Many first generation families in this country can relate to this.  It is a source of family pride and prestige.  But it is what you do with that education that can really make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

Here in Hartford, we believe that education starts at birth.  That is why the Office for Young Children was created in May of 2005.  This department oversees a comprehensive plan for our youngest residents--- ages zero to 8--- to help them achieve the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.  This includes health screenings and access to health care, support systems for parents, affordable and dependable early childhood care and education, a seamless transition from pre-school to Kindergarten, and striving for education excellence in the early grades.  In fact, it has been documented that if a third grader is reading at grade level then they are more likely to graduate high school and go on to college than drop out and perhaps end up in jail. 

Hartford's pathway to success for young people continues into adulthood.  Our Youth Services Division works with community based organizations to provide programs for young people ages 9 to 23.  Everything from positive school activities, to academic enrichment programs, to internship opportunities are all part of the learning experience.

But to help our youngsters succeed in school--- and beyond--- we need three main ingredients to support them along the way:  knowledgeable and inspirational educators, engaged parents, and a positive learning environment.  Hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested in our schools.  The buildings are under construction and renovation--- providng a safer and more positive learning environment--- brick by brick.  But the true success lies with our students who are achieving record improvement in their test scores, raising the standards of excellence with every passing semester!

I am proud to serve as a member of the Board of Education (including three years as Chairman) that brought in Dr. Steven Adamowski as our Superintendent.  Dr. Adamowski is a Connecticut native, a Trinity College graduate, and has a nationally recognized and proven track record in urban education.  He shares the vision that we must raise the academic expectations and standards of Hartford students and expect them to go to college.  We are strengthening our curriculums, building more partnerships with colleges and increasing our engagement with private and parochial secondary schools. 

I am also proud thatHartford Public Schools is leading the way in the state in regards to mandatory school uniform policies.  We started ours for grades Pre-K through 8 in September of 2006 and have received national recognition for uniforms at our high school academies.  Once again, this puts the focus on learning, eliminates distractions, and brings about a sense of pride and a sense of belonging for our students.

The ultimate goal is to increase the number of Hartford students who graduate from a four-year college so that this is the norm, not the exception.  This way more of our young people will be able to get the education, skills, and contacts they need to secure a high paying job and in turn, help secure their family’s financial future.  When those skills are invested in our communities, it only makes Hartford stronger and more competitive in this global economy.

Eddie A. Perez

Mayor