Gauging the Gaps Report by Education Trust

Here is a 2010 report from Education Trust called, "Gauging the Gaps: A Deeper Look at Student Achievement."

OSPI Report on Closing Opportuinity Gaps

Thanks to classmate Erin for sending me this link. Here is a 2010 report published by the Washington State OSPI entitled: "Closing Opportunity (Achievement) Gaps in Washington's Public Education System." The report contains some startling information about the achievement gap between groups of Washington students. It also makes recommendations for how to close the gap, including suggestions for the Quality Education Council and the state legislature.

Levey Middle School

Dr. Anthony Muhammad lead the transformation of Levey Middle School in Southfield, MI. Here is a link to the story of what happened at Levey.

Levey Middle School

A Classic Case of Dysfunction

•97% African-American student population – Student population of 800+

•School-wide Title 1 eligible

•Over 80% of students live in single female headed households

•Achievement scores well below state averages

•25% – 40% annual student mobility rate

•2000-2001 school over 3000 disciplinary suspensions

•2000-2001 school year over 150 students failed two or more classes and were required to attend summer school

•65% of staff in their first, second, or third year of teaching

•2000-2001 school year, three parents arrested for disorderly conduct on campus

•2001-2002 school year, I became the third principal in three years

Harlem Children's Zone

Called "one of the most ambitious social-service experiments of our time," by The New York Times, the Harlem Children's Zone Project is a unique, holistic approach to rebuilding a community so that its children can stay on track through college and go on to the job market.

The goal is to create a "tipping point" in the neighborhood so that children are surrounded by an enriching environment of college-oriented peers and supportive adults, a counterweight to "the street" and a toxic popular culture that glorifies misogyny and anti-social behavior.

In January 2007, the HCZ Project launched its Phase 3, expanding its comprehensive system of programs to nearly 100 blocks of Central Harlem. President Barack Obama has called for the creation of "Promise Neighborhoods" across the country based on the comprehensive, data-driven approach of the HCZ Project. Read more...

Oprah Winfrey called the HCZ, "An organization that has set out to prove that poor, black children can and do succeed."

Here is a clip from a CNN story on the HCZ, featuring its President and CEO, Geoffrey Canada. 

Phi Delta Kappan Article

This is a link to an article published in Phi Delta Kappan in 2003. Although it's eight years old, it contains some relevant ideas about the factors that contribute to the gap, and what math has to do with it.

"The Achievement Gap: Myths and Reality" by Mano Singham

Educational Leadership Article

This article from Educational Leadership tries to answer the question, "Why does the gap persist?" The author synthesizes the research and names several factors that impact achievement. In all cases, he found that the factors have a bigger impact on minority students.

NPR: Seattle Offers Lessons in Bridging Achievement Gap

 Listen to the story or read the print version (12:39). Originally aired March 15, 2007.