Program: Achievement Gap Concerns: The Role of the Independent School

ACHIEVEMENT GAP CONCERNS: The Role of the Independent School
Lynn Gadsden, Chair, Board of Trustees, Community Partnership School
Eric Jones, Head of School, Community Partnership School
David Kasievich, Director of Development, Community Partnership School
National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA), April 9, 2010, Baltimore, MD

Defining Achievement Gap
An achievement gap refers to the observed disparity on a number of educational measures between the performance of groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, ability, and socioeconomic status. Achievement gaps can be observed on a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point averages, dropout rates, and college enrollment and completion rates. While most of the data presented in this presentation comes from the United States, similar or different gaps exist for these, and other groups in other nations.

Four Distinct Achievement Gaps
1). Between the United States and other nations;
2). Between black and Latino students and white students;
3). Between students of different income levels; and
4). Between similar students schooled in different systems or regions

Achievement Gap Consequences
Imposes the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession
Children experience school as unachievable and uninteresting
High school dropout rates increase significantly
College attendance and college completion rates decrease significantly
Lower earnings
An increase in short and long-term health problems
Higher rates of incarceration

Trends to Address the GapEducational Reform
Providing early childhood education – especially for those at risk
Lengthening the time in school – day or year – including summer school
Establishing community schools as hubs of support for families from prenatal care through school
Establishing PK-3 or PK-5 schools
Strengthening principals as school leaders
Removing ineffective teachers and retaining teachers that meet performance measures
Strengthening after school programs including extra-curricular activities
Reducing class sizes, especially for early grades
Using data-driven instruction
Educating parents about child development
Increasing pay, setting higher qualifications and providing incentive payments for teachers
Emphasizing early literacy, including expanded use of volunteers
Recruiting adult mentors for students
Utilizing paraprofessionals for home visits
Graduate services (tracking)
Restructuring teacher education
De-tracking schools– students more likely to have equally qualified teachers, expectations, curriculum, and resources.
Using smaller schools – either standing alone or created within larger schools
(Best practices: NativityMiguel Network, Cristo Rey Network of Schools, Schools that Can Network)

HOW DID WE GET THERE?our founding story

Why was CPS created?
At first, a way to increase diversity for GA
A quality education and a way to break the
cycle of homelessness & poverty for
Project H.O.M.E.
Focus on early childhood education
Access to an independent & private
educational model
An early partnership was formed
Strong and persistent leadership
A financial challenge from the GA Board

A non-tuition-driven independent education
How it’s been sustained and our plan for the future
Serving the economically poor and marginalized has
driven sustainability
Transformative success & long term graduate support
Innovative “product” and fresh perspective
Quality leadership
Board strength
Partnerships
Strong fundraising strategies and indicators
Performance-driven culture
“Those who build great organizations make sure they have the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the key positions before they figure out where to drive the bus. They always think ‘who’ and then about what.”
-Jim Collins, Good to Great and the Social Sectors

Sustaining the Financial Support
An active & engaged Board of Trustees (time, treasure & talent)
Prevention of donor and partnership fatigue
Creation of new partnerships (university, corporate, independent schools, communitygroups)
Regular sharing of results (empirical & anecdotal)

Independent Schools: Well-Positioned to Addressthe Achievement Gap!
Autonomy (hiring, curriculum development, etc.)
Focus on the whole child
Intentionally college preparatory
Growing commitment to equity in
action & justice

The Role of the Independent SchoolFirst steps…
Understanding the achievement gap
Addressing the negative stereotypes that hinder student performance
Moving beyond community service to service learning
Encouraging small cohorts of parents, teachers, and students to engage in discussion
Incorporating the hard facts about the achievement gap into classroom learning
Identifying the greatest gaps in your area or region
Partnering with local and national movements
Preparing students for life and their responsibility and role in society

We all have a role to play…
Educators must hold themselves accountable to improve school environment, engage in cultural dialogues.
Parents/families must also be held accountable and more involved in the educational process.
Government must pay closer attention to social and psychological implications of governing policies.
Neighborhoods/Communities must help to develop cognitive learning environments in community centers/daycares.
All concerned citizens must engage in school, community and multicultural activities.
Interested citizens, educators, leaders of community organizations, members of varying social class, must continue to discuss and work towards change and diversity.
All Schools must be a safe place where students want to come and take part in a maturing learning environment
Closing Achievement GAPSDiane T. Russell

Other examples of success
Waterside School (K-5) – Stamford, CT
Sonoma Academy (9-12) – Santa Rosa, CA
Children’s Storefront (Pre-K-8) – Harlem, NY
Wingspan Partnerships – Helping independent schools move from “community service to public purpose”

Q & A
www.communitypartnershipschool.org

Program: Achievement Gap Concerns: The Role of the Independent School

by Marissa Lowman on Apr 12, 2010

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