"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

Tacoma Public Schools Report on Achievement Gap

Dr. Thelma Jackson was hired by Tacoma Public Schools to study the achievement gap in 2009. This is her report:


"Addressing the Achievement Gap for African-American Students in Tacoma Public Schools"


Dr. Jackson writes, "The data indicate that a high degree of disproportionality, disparity, and structural inequalities exist in the district in such areas as test scores, discipline, dropouts, graduation rates, grade-point averages (GPAs), attendance, participation in Highly Capable and Advanced Placement Programs, Special Education placement, course-taking patterns, teacher assignments, teacher quality, and other factors that contribute to the achievement gap. While poverty, unemployment, crime, and other social ills might well be related to low achievement, these reasons can't be used as an "excuse" for persistent low test scores."
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