City Council Candiates By the Issue

The candidates below are the top four vote-getters out of the eight advancing candidates in the Sept. 22 Boston City Council-At-Large preliminary election. The education platforms described were taken from interviews with the candidates and from the candidates’ campaign and political websites.

AYANNA PRESSLEY

-Senator John Kerry’s Political
Director
– Aims to improve the achievement gap that currently exists between minority and non-minority Boston communities
– Believes BPS need to make sure its curricula are demanding enough and that every student is getting the support they need?
– Wants to prepare students for successful entry into college with a return to neighborhood schools-including strong parental involvement and community participation in school events, activities, and issues
?
– Promises to fight for improved access to after-school programs, college admissions assistance and local academic support for all grade levels and various programs

JOHN CONNOLLY

– Current City Councilor-At-Large’
?
– Head of City Council Committee on Education?
– Wants to close the achievement gap in Boston Public Schools by creating a larger budget for public schools and by improving schools in underprivileged districts
?
– Supports community involvement in school events, programs and activities
?
– Emphasizes parental involvement in lowering the drop-out rate
?
– Supports innovative charter schools, which he said he sees as a ‘key’ component to improving education
?
– Has stressed that each child is unique, so finding new ways of teaching will need to cater to a wider range of needs

STEPHEN MURPHY

– Current City Councilor-At-Large
?
– Serves on City Council Committee on Education
?
– Wants to improve school bus transportation
?
– Supports early learning centers, remedial education, tutoring for students with low English proficiency
‘

FELIX ARROYO

– Serves on Jamaica Plain Community Centers and Jamaica Plan Neighborhood Council
– Works as a youth sports coach
?
– Advocates constructive youth activities after school and during the summer to keep children out of trouble and better prepare them for the future
?
– Promises to fight for higher quality schools so that students can have access to a good public school education
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