State Commissioner of Education to Speak on Racial Equity

Waterbury, CT- Waterbury Public Schools is pleased to announce that the state Commissioner of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, will address approximately 400 Waterbury Public School educators on racial equity and the critical role it plays in schools on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. at Crosby High School.

Over the coming months, the State Education Resource Center (SERC) will provide professional development and learning opportunities for the District’s staff to examine how personal beliefs, values and experiences impact their interactions with students and the teaching and learning environment. “As the District continues to inspire and prepare every student for success, we know we must be cognizant of the ways in which race and cultural bias operate as factors affecting student achievement and learning experiences,” said Superintendent Verna D. Ruffin. “To this end, we are taking intentional steps to advance staff understanding of the importance of racial equity in policies, practices and procedures.”

The first year of the professional development will introduce the concept to the professionals in our middle schools. In Year 2, the model will be replicated with the high schools as well as alternative schools, with continued support for the middle schools. In Year 3, elementary school staff will begin the process, with continued support for the middle, high and alternative schools.