On
November 30, 2004, 4J Superintendent George Russell was invited to
be part of a panel for a National Public Radio program, Justice Talking,
on the topic of the achievement gap in education. New York Times correspondent
Abby Goodnough posed the following questions:
"Public education
is supposed to be the great equalizer, leading to opportunities for
all Americans. But is it doing its job? How well is it serving children
of color and children from low-income famiies - at a time when quality
education is so important?"
The discussion
followed on criticial education issues, with a focus on teaching a
diverse student population in Oregon. The Town Hall Forum Panel included
Avel Gordly, State Senator; Phyllis Edmundson, Dean of the College
of Education at Portland State University; Pat Burke, filling in for
State Superintendent Susan Castillo; as well as Eugene School District
4J Superintendent, George Russell.
Click
here to access the video stream of the Town Hall Forum Panel,
the NPR show, as well as conversations on cultural competency.
Poster
advertises the NPR Justice Talking taping and forum.
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Assistant
Superintendent Tom Henry waits with Superintendent George
Russell for the event to begin.
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Attendees
are greeted with copies of the New York TImes; the event was
supported by the Wallace Foundation.
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4J
Principal Morley Hegstrom, Harvard Intern Carl Hermann, and
4J Board member Beth Gerot attended the event.
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Also
attending were a group representing the Eugene Education Association
- they're proud of the district, too!
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Wallace
Grant visitors from Illinois were there to participate as
part of the audience.
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Eugene
4J School District had a number of poster boards to display
information about the many programs we have to close the achievement
gap.
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One
of the notable programs is the Wallace LEAD Grant, which promotes
administrative and teacher leader development aimed at closing
the achievment gap.
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4J
Principal Alan Chinn views photos on display.
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State
Superintendent Susan Castillo opens the taping with a welcome.
On her left are George Russell, Phyllis Edmondson, and Avel
Gordly.
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Eugene School District 4J