"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

Teach for America--Ensuring Educational Opportunity for All


Teach for America believes that, "too many children in low-income communities are trapped in a cycle of poverty and educational inequity. Children growing up in poverty face extra challenges. Poverty deprives children of adequate health care, nutrition, housing, and access to high-quality preschool programs, creating significant additional educational needs. Because students in low-income communities are disproportionately children of color, they are more likely to encounter the effects of societal low expectations and discrimination."

The nonprofit organization aims to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting the nation's most promising future leaders to teach for two or more years in low-income communities throughout the United States. The organization aspires for these "corps members" to gain the insight and added commitment to tackle the root causes of America's achievement gap throughout their lives.


A 2009 USA Today article was critical of Teach for America.
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