ROBBINS MAYOR BRYANT ADDRESSES SCHOOL DISTRICT’S EQUITY ISSUES

Village of Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant hosted a Town Hall Meeting to discuss equity within the Community High School District 218. Photos by Tia Carol Jones
Village of Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant hosted a Town Hall Meeting to discuss equity within the Community High School District 218. Photos by Tia Carol Jones

 Robbins Mayor Bryant addresses school district’s equity issues

BY TIA CAROL JONES The Village of Robbins Mayor
Darren Bryant hosted a Town Hall Meeting with the residents
and the Community High School District 218.

The goal of the meeting was to address concerns of regarding
equity within the school district, including race relations, staff demographics, hiring, the graduation rate and academic achievement gaps.

Another concern was about a qualified, experienced African-
American coach that was overlooked for a high post at the
Community High School District 218. There was an acknowledgement made by CHSD 218 Superintendent
Dr. Ty Harting that there is racism in the district.

Community High School District 218 includes Dwight D.
Eisenhower High School, Harold L. Richards High School, Alan
B. Shepherd High School, Delta & Summit Learning Center and
Adult Transition Program.

Robbins elected officials, as well as current and former CHSD 218
board members, were in attendance. Harting, along with Dr.
Jacqueline Johnson, Director of Articulation and Equity, presented
the findings from its equity audit.

Findings proved students of color left the CHSD 218 with less
opportunities for academic and professional success. The students
and staff members of color reported feeling like an “other.” The demographics of the teachers and studentsat Community High School District do not match. While there 26.2% of the students are Black, only 4% of the teachers in the district are Black. Ninety percent of the teachers in the district are white.

“This issue disturbs a lot of people. Research shows that although children can learn from instructors of another race; they learn best from teachers that look like them. These role models has proven to be more successful. This is clearly an area we need to work on,” Harting said.

When it comes to the student performance, students that met achievement results required for the SAT, 68% of Black and African American students did not meet the standards requirements for the English, Reading and Writing portion
of the test for the 2019-2020 school year. During that same
school year, the Math portion of the SAT, 87.30% of Black and
African American students did not meet the required standards.
Harting acknowledged it was a failing of the school district.

The number of African American students in Advanced Placement
classes increased from 11% in 2015-2016 to 17% in 2020- 2021. Harting acknowledged there was still work to be done
but wanted to be transparent with
the residents and the Mayor.

The Equity Audit includes voices of students, faculty, and
staff. Regarding staff reflecting the student population, actions were taken including revising protocols for hiring and partnering with three Universities to develop a pipeline for educator recruitment. During the last two hiring seasons there was an increase in new hires that were Black, Latinx and Middle Eastern. In 2020, 71% of new hires were Black, Latinx and Middle Eastern. In 2021, 50% of new hires were Black, Latinx and Middle Eastern.

The audit also found there were issues with implicit bias and
language used, inconsistent disciplining of students from various
racial groups, lack of reflection of one’s identity and the experiences of others, also need for a more welcoming school culture.

In response to these findings, the school district has developed
student voice groups, providing multiple equity-focused professional learning opportunities, which include equity, diversity,
inclusion and belonging sensitivity training for staff, and is in the
process of reviewing policy and practices for student discipline.

The district is looking at SAT data, Grade Point Average and if
students are on track to graduate. Those are indicators of success
for the district. They are also ensuring systemic changes are being
made so students have what they need to be successful.

During the citizens’ testimonials, residents voiced their concerns that despite the Equity Audit things would not change, as they had not seen any changes throughout the years.

Demetrius McDaniel, a Robbins native who attended Richards High School and played basketball there, talked about his experiences. He said there are quality Black men and women
who live in the district who coach and mentor in the community.

“I got five names right now, in the district. We can solve some of
these problems in some of these areas. Tell them what you need,
back them with capital, with a location to take these kids,” he said
in reference to the coach who was overlooked for a position.

In an emailed response to questions, Johnson wrote: “Our
goals, based upon our audit results and feedback from the Robbins community and the D218 community at large, is to
focus on achievement and graduation rates and post-secondary
opportunities, climate and culture for our students and staff, and
including our hiring practices. We are very invested in building
a partnership that will strengthen our community.”

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