Panel discussion tackles educational inequalities

While many students complain about having to lug around heavy
textbooks, some others don’t even have the books they need
for school.

Student leaders and research professionals gathered Wednesday
night in a panel discussion, tackling issues from inadequate
resources to the high number of under-credentialed teachers in
schools primarily consisting of minority students.

Sponsored by the Community Service Commission, the panel was
part of an advocacy week focusing on inequalities in K-12
education. Though this is the first time the commission has
sponsored such a week, the event is an activity the commission
hopes to continue in the future, said Crystal Lee, Community
Service commissioner for the Undergraduate Students Association
Council.

“A good way to spread awareness about the community
service commission is (through) spreading awareness about the
issues we address,” she said.

Since most of their service projects reach out toward
communities that encounter educational shortcomings in terms of
resources, this was an ideal topic to focus on, Lee said.

In a cozy lecture room in Young Hall with about 25 students,
discussion began with a number of topics concerning inadequate
education within minority communities. Gary Blasi, a law professor
at UCLA and guest speaker for the event, said when he first began
working within educational law, he was surprised by his
findings.

From a lack of books to students facing endless rounds of
substitute teachers and passing class by watching non-educational
movies, Blasi said fixing inequalities in education is
California’s “single biggest problem.”

“If we don’t solve this problem, I don’t see
how we can solve any other problem,” he said, referring to
other social problems such as homelessness.

Guest speaker Li’i Furumoto, a UCLA alumna who now works
with the organization Leadership Development in Interethnic
Relations, said the problem can be addressed in a different way
““ educating the teachers in these schools about the cultures
of their students.

Furumoto said because most teachers in areas of high minorities
are white, they come in with little knowledge about engaging
minority students toward their education.

Funding for inner-city schools is provided by the military, but
that has its consequences, as such schools quickly introducing
students to the military and overshadowing the option of college,
said Eligio Martinez Jr., Academic Affairs commissioner for
USAC.

“Schools are not preparing kids for the real world, and
the military is ready to scoop them up,” Blasi said. Speakers
encouraged students to get involved by tutoring and mentoring inner
city kids, or helping with related research.

The Community Service Commission is planning another advocacy
week near the end of quarter to address developmental
disabilities.