I want to thank every New Haven mayoral candidate who attended the June 21 debate, and engaged in a critical conversation about their respective visions for strengthening public education in our state’s second largest city. In the midst of their discussion, all candidates proclaimed their support for ensuring that New Haven kids receive increased access to high-quality public school options.
Over the past decade, New Haven has taken important steps to improve public education. In fact, the city’s landmark teacher and principal evaluation system serves as a model for educator evaluations that will be rolled out statewide.
But even though progress has been made on education, we still have a long way to go to ensure every child has access to the quality public education they deserve.
In New Haven, only one in three third graders are reading at grade level, and nearly three in four Black and Latino third graders are reading below grade level, according to the State Department of Education. That’s unacceptable. Kids across New Haven are counting on our next mayor’s leadership, and we cannot afford to let them down.
Fortunately, all seven candidates made strong statements on the record about their commitment to continuing education reforms that ensure every child has access to great teacher, principal, and public school. Thanks to the other hosts of this debate and to all of the New Haven mayoral candidates for participating in this event. We look forward to future events and community discussions with the candidates so that we can learn more about their specific plans for the city’s public schools. It is critical that the next mayor is deeply committed to investing in our children, as we cannot afford to dial back efforts to ensure every child has access to a high quality education, regardless of wealth, race or zip code.
Jennifer Alexander
New Haven

The writer is acting chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN).