Last night the Democratic Women of Westport and the Staples High School Young Democrats club hosted an online panel discussion about how to better achieve equitable education in the State of Connecticut. Connecticut ranks as one of the highest in the nation for educational success amongst students, however the State also joins many other northeastern states in having large achievement gaps between races.

Panelists included Westporter Dr. Joshua Aronson, NYU, Michael Cummings, Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sandra Donnay, the Racial Equity Initiative, Steven Hernandez, Esq., Commission on Women, Children, & Seniors, Eric Juli, Shaker Heights Ohio Principal, Keith Little, SCO Family Services, and Patricia Billie Miller, 145th district. The discussion was moderated by Justine Marous of Marous Law.

“We need to get kids together” said Dr. Aronson when discussing a way to better raise children without prejudice, describing the works of Nelson Mandela and the common goal of trying to educate children in a way that doesn’t allow a prejudice to grow within them. “We can all agree that we learn better in an environment with people who come from different backgrounds and can give different perspectives.”

The privileges of the surrounding towns, including Westport, were not ignored as they described how even items such as homework or Advanced Placements tests could segregate a school system. An example of a district changing that achievement gap was given by Dr. Donnay when speaking about a New Jersey school system that made sure every student took at least one of the AP courses, leading to positive test scores as well as graduation rates when all students were given the same opportunity.

However changes like these do not come from a passive audience, according to Steven Hernandez, who said “We come with the weight of history” when discussing how citizens think about trying to make changes in racial disparities within districts. “We continue to admire what we’ve done from the backseat'“ he said, describing a situation where towns become content with the progress made, and lose focus on the goals needed to be met for the future of equitable and fair education.

Senator Will Haskell joined the panel to describe the current Open Choice bill, which describes bringing the program to more districts “that are showing declines in [suburban schools] student enrollment, right next to urban districts with overcrowded classrooms”. The program would push suburban districts such as Wilton, Redding, Easton, and others to accept urban students into the schools - fill the seats emptied by lower class sizes with urban students from cities such as Danbury and Bridgeport.

Staples Student and Staples Young Democrats Club member Jayden Melo asked panelists what they can do to push the agenda of anti-racism further in the schools. “Read” was the answer from Eric Juli, who listed some books by black authors or featured black protagonists that he feels should be read more in the high school setting. “Of Mice and Men is only relevant if you’re in the dust bowl in the 1920s. It doesn’t have any relevance to Westport, Connecticut in 2021.” The power of literacy was echoed by other panelists who described volunteering for children in underserved areas to help foster a love of reading, with Dr. Aronson continuing to say that we need to make sure “all kids can read, and love to read, by the 3rd grade.”

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller urged them to “visit us in Hartford (on Zoom)”, as she shared with excitement that the legislative process is easier to access during the pandemic with virtual hearings taking place. Keith Little reminded the high schooler to make sure they had “the right people at the table” because that’s what inclusion requires when making decisions, and to push to look at the relevant topics when given that seat.

Dr. Aronson gave stories of some of the best leaders he knows, who were all great because of their ability to be community organizers - a trait that allows leaders to excel, and to “bring people together to get [stuff] done.”

“You don’t move a mountain in one day” Eric Uli ended the discussion with. He told the over 80 viewers to remain relentless in the fight, and to fight with an unwillingness to give in to issues of race, equity, and inclusion.

“What is the one word answer to all human problems?” the panelist were asked before their screens clicked off.

“Community.”

The panelists, DWW, and SYDC all look forward to continuing the conversation through their respective committees and without the community. This was the second panel discussion hosted by the two Democratic clubs to start conversations about policy that can affect the local community.