The Association of Black Students, in collaboration with Teach For America, will present a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: America’s Education Crisis” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 in Simon Hall’s May Auditorium.
The discussion will focus on the steps being taken to address the achievement gap. It will outline the successes of educational reform and the steps both individual WUSTL students and the nation as a whole can take to jump-start the educational system.
“Education is one of the foremost civil rights issues of our generation,” says Adam Abadir, a senior in Arts & Sciences and president of the Association of Black Students. “The achievement gap affects us all, regardless of race. What we want to do is shed light on programs, both in St. Louis and around the nation, that are correcting the achievement gap and giving children from all backgrounds a chance to succeed.”
The event is open to the WUSTL community and will be moderated by Gwen Packnett, director of the Office of Multicultural Relations and Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Featured panelists will provide insights into educational reform from a broad range of perspectives. They are:
- Antonio French, City of St. Louis alderman, 21st Ward;
- Art J. McCoy II, PhD, assistant superintendent, Ferguson-Florissant School District;
- Lisa Orden Zarin, founder and executive director, College Bound;
- Danielle Anderson, teacher, Hazelwood East Middle School, member of Teach For America and 2010 WUSTL alumna.
Following the panel discussion, a reception will be held for all students interested in learning more about Teach For America or who wish to talk to the panelists, at a location to be determined.
For more information, e-mail abadir@wustl.edu.