Question

Please read Taking sides chapter for week (please see syllabus) and write a one page summary of the two perspectives. One paragraph should describe the point “for”, the second paragraph should describe the perspective “no/against” and the third paragraph should describe your personal reflection and thoughts on the two perspectives.

Can Schools Close the Achievement Gap between Students from Different Ethnic and Racial Backgrounds?

Answer 1

School’s role in closing the achievement gap between Students from Different Ethnic and Racial Backgrounds:

The achievement gap is defined as the difference between the academic performance of one societal group and another.

For:

A study of one Texas school district reveals one of the best evidence-based ways ever found to close the educational achievement gap between black and white students. The research found that teachers' sense of collective efficacy in any one school - the belief that they had the capability and support necessary to educate their students - was closely connected to the achievement gap. Schools in which teachers showed high levels of collective efficacy had a 50 percent reduction in the academic disadvantage experienced by black students, compared to schools where teachers had average levels, the study showed. Study also proves that Social capital is the network of relationships between school officials, teachers, parents and the community that builds trust and norms that promote academic achievement. The D.C. Public Education Fund is working to raise money to support these initiatives outside the operating budget.

Against:

Goddard said social capital and collective efficacy are related, but they aren't the same thing. Social capital is necessary for successful schools, but it is not sufficient. He said "Social capital can help, but without the belief in your ability to successfully reach students, the chances you'll achieve your goals are vastly reduced". Unfortunately, there is still substantial work to be done before the goal of eliminating the achievement gap can be achieved. A study conducted by the North Central Regional Educational Lab indicates that the reading and math skills of twelfth-grade African American and Hispanic students across the nation are the approximate equivalent of eighth-grade white students. Even though funding has increased, it has done so unequally and the achievement gap has grown. Students in educationally supportive states and those from advantaged backgrounds easily rival students from across the world. Schools that serve a large number of “minority” students face big issues, which put them at a disadvantage when compared to other schools. They have to deal with lower budgets, larger classes, and often less qualified teachers and school leaders. The effect of this has been to create an “educational debt” that negatively affects the students in these communities.

My perspective

I believe School administrators such as principals and superintendents are in a unique and strong position to work on closing the achievement gap at the local level. The achievement gap has been a persistent problem in the country with few good solutions. The achievement gap and the negative impact of this can be felt across a large range of demographics. While the path of legislation and a focused effort to narrow this gap has yielded positive results among specific racial demographics. However, its negative ramifications confirm that there is still much progress to be made. Inequitable experiences of students related to their access to resources, support, and possibilities for academic growth in schools. For those who are disadvantaged, low achievement has a wide reaching effect including higher dropout rates, incarceration, poor health, substance abuse, poverty, and more. These students could have had very different lives had their experiences in school, at home, and in their communities provided them the tools they needed to be successful academically and personally. Addressing this issue will require major efforts. Recruiting great teachers is important, but it is not the whole answer. Systemic elements are needed to support the work of talented educators. It is not the people who are at fault: it is the system that needs an overhaul. At the end, I believe that schools can close the achievement gap between Students from Different Ethnic and Racial Backgrounds .