by Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — A school-sanctioned equity study — or “audit” — which has drawn some controversy from select parents and community members was released today.

The 72-page report was prepared by New York University’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools’ Innovations in Equity and Systemic Change (IESC).

Along with six training sessions for 30 Westport staff and community-member participants — Westport’s “Root Cause team” — the grant-funded work included “listening sessions” with some students, parents and caretakers about their experiences in Westport Public Schools, as well as staff surveys and general district data.

Inequities Exist

“Across several points of analysis, inequities exist in Westport that particularly have a disproportionate impact on Black and Latino/a students,” the report says. “Asian and White students have greater access to rigorous instruction and curriculum, consistently score higher on academic assessments and on average, are impacted the least by the disciplinary system.”

The report summarizes its findings to state that while there is appreciation for the quality of education provided, there exists a culture of competitive pressure that, in part, motivates a need for students and families to fit in.

While the study finds that both the school community itself and district are motivated to be more diverse and inclusive, there is “limited exposure to students/families/communities that hold … differences.”

“Harm caused to students and families”

It identifies “harm caused to students and families of social identity differences,” including those relating to race, ethnicity, disabilities and religion.

The report, which quotes many pages of observations by participants, makes just four broad recommendations:

The report states that some of the root causes for inequities among students — some of it relating to discipline practices in particular — include “implicit biases impacting responses, decisions, treatment of students, perceptions of families (and) insufficient targeted deep professional learning on culturally responsive sustaining education.”

“Ask questions and contemplate”

“The nature of studies is to ask questions and contemplate,” Supt. of School Thomas Scarice said in a related memo Tuesday.

He said the study, which took over a year because of complications relating to the pandemic, was sanctioned by the last iteration of the Board of Education, and included a committee of educators and some community members.

“The team looked at a variety of indicators … to make interpretations, and consider further questions,” he said. “During this time-bound study, the preponderance of time and effort was spent on assessing student access to programs, and the overall student experience.”

At next Monday’s BOE meeting, he said a team of Westport educators will present the findings and recommendations.

“Although recommendations have been provided, specific district action steps have yet to be defined,” Scarice said.

To view the full report through the WPS school messenger system, follow this link.

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