Goal: Sacramento will be known for great schools, ensuring all families have access to high quality educational options.

Build a portfolio of compelling schools and programs
Develop a “School Report Card”
Improve the quality of school leaders and educators via programs like TFA, TNTP and NLNS
Raise funds to reward educators through bonuses for affecting student achievement gains
Expand internship and work study opportunities
Expand number of quality early childhood education programs
Increase support for arts & music education

Accomplishments

- Local, State and National Leadership on School Reform

Founding Chair of US Conference of Mayors’ Public Schools Task Force and Co-Chair of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s Mayoral Advisory Council
Played key role in securing passage of groundbreaking “Race to the Top” and Common Core Standards state legislation to improve low performing schools and empower parents
Hosted California Mayors Graduation Summit to address dropout crisis in collaboration with California Mayors Education Roundtable, state leaders, top mayors and education advocates from across the state
Announced City-Schools Collaborative with regional superintendents to better align city services with district priorities
Launched Sacramento READS reading initiative to ensure all third graders are reading on grade level

- Engaging Parents and Community Leaders

Created new STAND UP nonprofit to dramatically increase student achievement in Sacramento schools through policy advocacy and community engagement
Regular meetings and events attended by over 2,000 parents, educators, school administrators, and state legislators to discuss critical education reform policy and advocacy issues

- Marshalling New Resources

Secured commitments from City Year and Health Corps youth service initiatives to establish Sacramento chapters
Raised over $500,000 from the Broad Foundation, Gates Foundation and other philanthropic entities to support education reform efforts in Sacramento
Selected as first city in nation to pilot Any Given Child arts education program, providing arts enrichment education to thousands of students in Sacramento Unified and Twin Rivers school districts

Mayor Johnson has also launched STAND UP, an education initiative to promote better schools in Sacramento.