Literary Review: Achievement Gaps – Race as an Issue

Benjamin Walker, MAEssentials of Economics

BUSN502Drexel University

"The achievement gap is a persistent, pervasive and significant disparity in educational achievement and attainment among groups of students as determined by a standardized measure. When analyzed according to race and ethnicity, achievement disparities negatively impact educational outcomes for poor children and children of color on a consistent basis“ (Public Schools of North Carolina).

“Predicated on race and class divisions, the achievement gap is part of a larger legacy that intertwines individual and family resources with school quality, social capital, and educational opportunity. While some researchers have blamed schools for disparities in educational outcomes, others have focused on the failure of families to adequately prepare youth for the educational challenges that lie ahead” (Williams Institute, 2006).

Public Schools of North Carolina. (2010). Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps. Retrievedfrom http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/racg/resources/strategies/movement/definition

The Williams Institute. (2006). The Academic Achievement Gap. Retrieved from: http://www.thewilliamsinstitute.org/Portals/10/Education/Academic%20 Achievement%20Gap.pdf

What is the cause of this so called achievement gap???

Give Well. (2010). Discussion of the U.S. Achievement Gap. Retrieved from http://www.givewell.net/united-states/education/achievement-gap

Low Income FamiliesPoverty

Lack of Educational Resources in the Home

Unstable Family Structure

Singham, M. (2003). The Achievement Gap: Myths and Reality. Phi Delta Kappan, 84(8), 586. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

Factors should be weighed before a judgment call can be made!

1. biased standardized tests2. tests that do not match the learning styles of all

students3. less money spent on educating minority students 4. socioeconomic differences5. lack of motivation6. negative peer pressure7. lack of family support for education8. teacher biases9. and many other possibilities

VS Facts

Singham, M. (2003). The Achievement Gap: Myths and Reality. Phi Delta Kappan, 84(8), 586. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

Myth debunked in 1990 Pittsburgh school district between blacks, whites, and other minority students.

Mathematic scores showed a tremendous decrease in the achievement gap due to a reformed curriculum and a focus on improving the educational achievement of all students.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress. (2007). Achievement Gaps. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/gaps/

Closing the Closing the GapGap

The Prescription For The Prescription For Closing the GapClosing the Gap

Darling-Hammond, L. (September 2007). Race Ethnicity and Education.Vol. 10, No. 3. doi:  10.1080/13613320701503207

NCLB CrumblesNCLB Crumbles…

“The intention of the Act was good, but due to the cumbersome laws that were made applicable to all school districts, the laws failed to address the unequal educational resources as compared to wealthy schools and poor schools” (Darling-Hammond, 2007).

“Under the NCLB law, it forces schools to improve the quality of their test scores, but ignores the resources needed to meet the requirement” (Darling-Hammond, 2007).

Luther Burbank Middle School, San Francisco, CA.

1.text books shared by students in class2.photo copies of text made for students to do their homework without clear instructions3.overcrowded classrooms of 30 or more students4. non-emergency credentialed teachers5. teachers employed less than one year6.poor quality in building maintenance and facilities Wealthy Schools Per Student - $30,000

vs. Poor Schools Per Student - $3,000More investment is needed to close the gap in the poorer schools.

Darling-Hammond, L. (September 2007). Race Ethnicity and Education.Vol. 10, No. 3. doi:  10.1080/13613320701503207

“If the United States had closed the racial achievement gap and black and Latino student performance had caught up with that of white students by 1998, GDP in 2008 would have been between $310 billion and $525 billion higher, or roughly 2 to 4 percent of GDP. The magnitude of this effect will rise in the years ahead as blacks and Latinos become a larger proportion of the population” (McKinsey & Company).

McKinsey & Company .(2010). The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in Americas Schools. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/Social_Sector/our_practices/ Education/Knowledge_Highlights/Economic_impact.aspx

“By underutilizing such a large proportion of the country’s human potential, the US economy is less rich in skills than it could be” (McKinsey & Company).

Haycock, K. (2001) Closing the Educational Gap. Retrieved from: http://www.leadersroundtable.org/site/images/stories/Homework/closing%20the%20gap.pdf

"To increase the achievement levels of minority and low-income students, we need to focus on what really matters; high standards, a challenging curriculum, and good teachers" (Haycock, 2001).

Close the

GAP!!!!

Four Concepts

1. Standards need to be set and met

2. All students must have challenging curriculum

3. Students need extra help

4. Teachers matter a lot Edtrust

What does CA What does CA have to say?have to say?

SuperintendentJack O'Connell

•Direct the P-16 Council to develop a comprehensive plan to close the gap

•Convene a statewide focus on closing the gap

•Work with leaders in higher education to prepare new teachers for the classroom to meet needs of California’s diverse student population

What are What are your………your………

References

Darling-Hammond, L. (September 2007). Race Ethnicity and Education.Vol. 10, No. 3. doi: 10.1080/13613320701503207 Editorial Projects in Education, Research Center. (2004). Achievement Gaps. Retrieved from

http://www.edweek.org/rc/issues/achievement-gap/

Give Well. (2010). Discussion of the U.S. Achievement Gap. Retrieved from http://www.givewell.net/united-states/education/achievement-gap

Haycock, K. (2001) Closing the Educational Gap. Retrieved from: http://www.leadersroundtable.org/site/images/stories/Homework/closing%20the%20gap.pdf

McKinsey & Company .(2010). The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in Americas Schools. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/Social_Sector/our_practices/Education/Knowledge_Highlights/Economic_impact.aspx

Public Schools of North Carolina. (2010). Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps. Retrieved   from http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/racg/resources/strategies/movement/definition Singham, M. (2003). The Achievement Gap: Myths and Reality. Phi Delta Kappan, 84(8), 586.

Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database.

The Educational Research Service (ERS). (2001).What can Schools do To Reduce the Achievement Gap?.Retrieved from: http://www.ers.org/otsp/otsp3.htm

The National Assessment of Educational Progress. (2007). Achievement Gaps. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/gaps/

The Williams Institute. (2006). The Academic Achievement Gap. Retrieved from: http://www.thewilliamsinstitute.org/Portals/10/Education/Academic%2 0Achievement%20Gap.pdf