School districts must commit to diversity
Districts need to gather data on what groups of students are over- or underrepresented in the disciplinary data and create strategies to eliminate disparities in that area.
In 2020, when children of color are the majority in the Valley and across the country, there is no representation of that diversity in classrooms or in leadership. This is unacceptable!!!
Let me start by saying that I was excited that Ansonia, Naugatuck and Shelton attended to discuss this very important issue with the lack of commitment to diversity from the school districts in the Valley. I recently invited several school districts to a roundtable discussion on diversifying schools, and three of those districts didn’t show — Oxford, Seymour and Derby — nor send a designee. Derby did follow up with a meeting to address the issues and I applaud them, but others’ silence speaks volumes. Parents and taxpayers take notice.
I am not going to speak specifically to curriculum because I have not explored the curriculum, and education is not my area of expertise. What I will do is speak — as a father whose two sons matriculated through this failing system and as president of the NAACP — to what needs to be done to diversify our school districts and create an environment of inclusion, comfort and safety for all students.
I believe school districts need to start with a diversity plan now that includes how to address the disparities that are identified from past failing practices. Districts need to gather data on what groups of students are over- or underrepresented in the disciplinary data and create strategies to eliminate disparities in that area. In the same vein, districts need to assess what groups of students are over- or underrepresented in advanced courses or gifted and talented programs. Often children of color are overrepresented in the disciplinary system and underrepresented in talented and gifted programs — the so- called “pipeline from school to prison.”
In addition, a most critical component of the school districts’ demonstration of their commitment to diversity would be an intensive minority teacher recruitment initiative. Children often perceive that teachers that look like them care for them more, and in some cases this is true. It is also important for children to have role models that look like them. This means putting equity in our youth.
Finally, schools and teachers are tasked with social concerns generated outside of the classroom: COVID- 19, homelessness, death, etc. Currently this unfortunate trend takes time and attention away from learning. There must be funds for school counselors and health professionals. At the same time, educators should be sensitive to students’ extra- curricular issues that impact their advancement in the classroom and their preparation beyond it.
Greg Johnson is president of the NAACP Naugatuck Valley branch, which recently hosted a roundtable discussion featuring local educators that focused on importance of teaching African American and Latino history, forming Human Relations clubs and hiring teachers of color.