Successes

Education 

Councillor Jackson has partnered with At-Large City Councilor John Connolly on an initiative to raise the age of compulsory school attendance in Boston.  The issue passed in the City Council and now needs approval at the State level.

Read More: Docket 0751 - Drop out age

Councillor Jackson has partnered with At-Large City Councilor John Connolly to hold a hearing regarding the Boston Public Schools’ plans to close the achievement gap throughout the school system.  The hearing was held in June of 2012 at the Grove Hall Library to discuss the Boston Public Schools' progress in alleviating the achievement gap. The meeting was attended by over 60 teachers, students, parents and education advocates, as well as City Councillors and Superintendant Carol Johnson. The conversation that took place at this hearing made it clear that there is significant work to be done. At the same time, many ideas were put forward as possible pieces of the solution to closing the achievement gap in Boston's public schools.

Read More: Order for a Hearing Regarding the Boston Public Schools' Plans to Close the Achievement Gap, Offered by City Councillor Tito Jackson

Councillor Jackson connected Science from Scientists, a science and technology education organization, to work to inspire young students to delve into STEM education.  Science from Scientists has been collaborating with 3 Boston Public Schools in district 7.  This is an example of one of many partnerships that the Councillor has helped establish with organizations in the district.

Councillor Jackson and At-Large City Councillor John Connolly sponsored an order for a hearing examining the inclusion of African American History in the core curriculum for high school students in Boston Public Schools.  The order was referred to the Committee on Education.  The Councillors understand that children of color make up 80% of the BPS student population, that the contributions of people of African descent appear in every facet of our nation’s and the world’s histories, and that it’s critical that young people know from where and whence they came.

Read More: Order for a Hearing Examining the Inclusion of African-American History in the Core Curriculum for High School Students, Offered by Councillors Tito Jackson and John R. Connolly

Councillor Jackson partnered with At-Large City Councillor John Connolly to hold a hearing to discuss current allocations of turnaround school funding, which are set to end after 2013.  The federal aid has been helpful in kick-starting Boston students’ education at the city’s designated turnaround schools.  However, which the loss of funds coming after 2013, both Councillors are concerned about the impact that lack of resources will have on the gains made in the past few years.

Read More: Order for a Hearing Regarding Boston Public Schools' Turnaround Schools and Related Federal Funds, Offered by Councillors John R. Connolly and Tito Jackson

Economic Development

Councillor Jackson partnered with At-Large City Councilor Ayanna Pressley to discuss the issue of public accommodations in Boston to ensure that people of all races and ethnicities are treated equally by Boston’s many commercial and social organizations.  The Councillor’s main priority with regards to this initiative is talent retention in Boston neighborhoods.  Boston is a city that offers a wealth of professional, educational and artistic opportunities to students and young professionals. 

Read More: Order 1146 - Public Accommodation

Councillor Jackson partnered with District 2 City Councilor Bill Linehan to hold a hearing regarding the Boston Residents Jobs Policy.  The purpose of the hearing was to review whether or not the BRJP’s requirements were being met on public construction sites in Boston and discuss how to continue work to meet those goals. 

Read More: Docket 1396 - Boston Residents Jobs Policy

Councillor Jackson, with State Representative Carlos Henriquez, contributed to outreach efforts and helped organize information sessions for the Building Pathways program, which was organized and supported by Boston Building Trades, the Boston Housing Authority, and State Representative Martin Walsh.  Building Pathwaysis a 7-week training program to prepare qualified Boston residents for apprenticeships in construction trades.  Over 500 people attended the different information session throughout Boston, ensuring the success of the program.

Public Safety

Councillor Jackson partnered with District 8 City Councilor Michael Ross to address unregulated selling of kitchen knives in everyday convenience stores, which make it very easy for anybody to purchase such items and use them as weapons.

Read More: Order 1147 - Sale of Certain Knives

Councillor Jackson sponsored an order for a hearing to investigate the use of Social Impact Bonds.  Social Impact Bonds, successfully implemented in the United Kingdom and adopted on a trial basis by Governor Patrick, may benefit Boston residents by decreasing financial stress on governments and enabling private companies to use their assets to assist the government in reaching a social outcome.  The order passed at City Council and was referred to the Committee on Ways & Means.

Read More: Order for a Hearing Regarding Social Impact Bonds and Service Delivery to Court-Involved Youth & Homeless Individuals, Offered by Councillor Tito Jackson

Councillor Jackson and City Councilor Frank Baker co-sponsored an order for a hearing regarding the regulation of sober homes, the services they provide and how they affect the neighborhoods in which they are located.  Sober homes are meant to be supportive to the patients they treat.  Some are, but many are not.  Furthermore, many have negative impacts on the wellbeing of nearby businesses and residents.  This hearing will shed some light on possible solutions to the problems facing sober homes and will assist policy makers in helping them help their patients.

Read More: Order for a Hearing Regarding the Regulation of Sober Homes & the Services Provided to Residents Thereof, Offered by Councillors Tito Jackson and Frank Baker

Councillor Jackson and At-large City Councilor Felix Arroyo sponsored a resolution opposing S0661, or ‘Stand Your Ground’ legislation, which is currently in committee at the Massachusetts State House. The Resolution passed during the City Council Meeting.

Partnerships that Include You:

Councillor Jackson connected Science from Scientists, a science and technology education organization, to work to inspire young students to delve into STEM education.  Science from Scientists has been collaborating with 3 Boston Public Schools in district 7.  This is an example of one of many partnerships that the Councillor has helped establish with organizations in the district.

Councillor Jackson has been working with State and City officials, as well as private contractors, to ensure that construction projects comply with Boston Residents Jobs Policy.  

Councillor Jackson, with State Representative Carlos Henriquez, contributed to outreach efforts and helped organize information sessions for the Building Pathways program, which was organized and supported by Boston Building Trades, the Boston Housing Authority, and State Representative Martin Walsh.  Building Pathways is a 7-week training program to prepare qualified Boston residents for apprenticeships in construction trades.  Over 500 people attended the different information session throughout Boston, ensuring the success of the program.

Collaborations with the Mayor on issues of economic development, like the Ferdinand Building and the presence of a Wal-Mart in the Dudley Square area.

Councillor Jackson was able to work with Mayor Menino and Boston Centers of Youth and Families to keep community centers open and expand programming after many in district 7 were slated to close during the budget process for the 2012 fiscal year.