Solving the problems that plague Cambridge's public schools was the focus of a notably civil discussion at last night's "School Committee Candidates Forum" at the Cambridge Senior Center.

Among the many issues candidates stressed in the forum, which was sponsored by the Cambridge Democratic City Committee, was the need to eliminate disparities in performance between students of different races and classes. Blacks and Latinos fail and dropout much more, incumbent Alice L. Turkel said.

"We are not doing the same quality for all the children in our school system," she said.

Incumbent Joseph G. Grassi said that if he is re-elected his main priority will be working to close the "achievement gap" in Cambridge's schools.

"I am extremely concerned about families and children that are not empowered," Grassi said.

Thirteen candidates are running for the six seats on the Cambridge School Committee. Elections will be held Nov. 2.

The forum, moderated by "Cambridge Inside Out" host Thomas S. Rafferty, was attended by nearly 50 people. Candidates, sitting side by side, gave short introductory and concluding speeches. In between, groups of four candidates were given one minute to answer questions on topics ranging from Cambridge's school choice system to Harvard's involvement in the public schools.

Declining enrollment in city schools was a major source of concern for the candidates.

"Parents are moving to this city and sending their children to other places [such as private schools]," said candidate Michael Harshbarger, adding that the school department needs to market itself to prevent students from leaving city schools.