While children in urban areas are the subject of the Commission's legislative mandate, our context is the education of all children within the perspective outlined by Chancellor Nordenberg. Today's children will soon become adults. Brains, know-how, knowledge, critical thinking, technological skillsthese are prerequisites for success in the world our children will soon be facing. Too many children in urban areas have already reached adulthood inadequately prepared to live a good and productive life. And that's even before the emergence of a Global Economy and the Knowledge-Information Age.
Urban education is in crisis.
It needs courageous and intelligent corrective action. And we must dramatically improve the status quo if the nation and this State are to be competitive in the emerging world we have characterized. While many children in urban communities are learning well and can hold their own tomorrow against anyone in the world, most are not. Spending in urban schoolsfor faculty, curriculum, administration, facilities, equipmentis at an all-time high. Thousands who want to, and can learn, are held back by unsafe or unsavory environments in and around schools.