"The 'achievement gap' in education refers to the disparity in academic performance between groups of students. It is most often used to describe the troubling performance gaps between many African-American and Hispanic students, at the lower end of the performance scale, and their non-Hispanic white peers, and the similar academic disparity between students from low-income and well-off families. The achievement gap shows up in grades, standardized-test scores, course selection, dropout rates, and college-completion rates. It has become a focal point of education reform efforts." --Education Week

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Racial Disparities and Discrimination in Education

This is an interesting paper about the achievement gap and racial discrimination factors that may play a part. The author elaborates on the discriminatory policies schools have put in place, such as:

1. Ability grouping in early elementary school
2. Retention in grade
3. Special education placement
4. Track placement in middle and high school
5. Teacher and school resources
6. Teacher perceptions and expectations
7. Compensatory programs

Racial Disparities and Discrimination in Education: What Do We Know? How Do We Know It? And What Do We Need to Know?" by George Farkas, Pennsylvania State University (2002)
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)