Former Newtown superintendent Dr. Joe Erardi told Newsweek he expected "this upcoming school year was going to be the most violent return that America has ever seen."
Beth Cobb (left) and Erin Maguire An equity policy proposed for the Essex Westford School District has galvanized members of the suburban community in recent weeks, drawing hundreds of people to both virtual and in-person meetings. Critics of the policy say it is divisive and difficult to parse, and supports teachings that might make white students feel shame and guilt. Supporters, meanwhile, argue that grappling with issues of race and equity will help kids become critical thinkers and improve education for all students. Essex Westford school leaders assert that there is nothing that should be controversial about the proposed policy, which likely will be put to a school board vote on June 15. Instead, they say, the district s commitment to equity is part of its overarching vision and aims to make school a place where all of its 4,500 students 14.6 percent of whom are nonwhite can succeed. This, they argue, is the fundamental c