The Achievement Gap

1. Achievement GapAchievement Gap
between students of high SES statusbetween students of high SES status
vs.vs.
students of low SES statusstudents of low SES status
Who’s to blame?Who’s to blame?

2. Why I chose this topic:Why I chose this topic:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HFmzsgakps&feature=em-share_video_userhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HFmzsgakps&feature=em-share_video_user
 As a Sociology student in my undergraduate studies, I learned many factsAs a Sociology student in my undergraduate studies, I learned many facts
about the injustices of our world that infuriates me.about the injustices of our world that infuriates me.
 The following are some factors that relate to education.The following are some factors that relate to education.
 Research shows that poor students and the schools serving them:Research shows that poor students and the schools serving them:
 Have 1 computer for every 16 students, compared to 1 computer for every 7 students in theHave 1 computer for every 16 students, compared to 1 computer for every 7 students in the
affluent schools (Mendels, 2000).affluent schools (Mendels, 2000).
 Have teachers that are underpaid relatively to their peers in affluent schools. In LosHave teachers that are underpaid relatively to their peers in affluent schools. In Los
Angeles, for example, teachers with 5 years experience make $29,500 while teachers inAngeles, for example, teachers with 5 years experience make $29,500 while teachers in
nearby Beverly Hills with similar experience make $73,400 (Newton, 2000). The result isnearby Beverly Hills with similar experience make $73,400 (Newton, 2000). The result is
that affluent schools are more likely to retain their most experienced and highly qualifiedthat affluent schools are more likely to retain their most experienced and highly qualified
teachers, while poor districts will have trouble keeping excellent teachers.teachers, while poor districts will have trouble keeping excellent teachers.
 Are more likely to attend schools in need of repairs, renovations, and modernization.Are more likely to attend schools in need of repairs, renovations, and modernization.
 Are more likely to attend schools that lack some necessary classroom materials.Are more likely to attend schools that lack some necessary classroom materials.
 Have higher pupil/teacher ratios.Have higher pupil/teacher ratios.

3. The questions I hope toThe questions I hope to
answer:answer:
 Why do such disparities exist?Why do such disparities exist?
 What can be done to reverse theWhat can be done to reverse the
trends?trends?
 How can schools create a successful,How can schools create a successful,
motivational learning environmentmotivational learning environment
where all students are capable ofwhere all students are capable of
reaching equal standards?reaching equal standards?

4. Research DesignResearch Design
 Data for this study will be collected through an interview process with localData for this study will be collected through an interview process with local
elementary faculty.elementary faculty.
 The questions I will use for the interview will be open-ended and related toThe questions I will use for the interview will be open-ended and related to
the topic under study.the topic under study.
 Initial questions include:Initial questions include:
 Do you think there is an academic achievement gap between students from lowDo you think there is an academic achievement gap between students from low
income homes versus high income homes? Elaborate.income homes versus high income homes? Elaborate.
 In what ways do you see an educational gap?In what ways do you see an educational gap?
 In what ways do you think teachers can help close the achievement gap?In what ways do you think teachers can help close the achievement gap?
 In what ways could the school district help close the achievement gap?In what ways could the school district help close the achievement gap?
 In what ways do you think the government can help close the achievement gap?In what ways do you think the government can help close the achievement gap?
 In what ways do you think families can help close the achievement gap?In what ways do you think families can help close the achievement gap?
 Why do you think so many students are not academically succeeding in school?Why do you think so many students are not academically succeeding in school?
 What would help low achieving students become better students?What would help low achieving students become better students?
 If you could change any aspect in education and your school in any way, whatIf you could change any aspect in education and your school in any way, what
changes would impact the educational gap?changes would impact the educational gap?
 In what way has No Child Left Behind Act impacted the achievement gap?In what way has No Child Left Behind Act impacted the achievement gap?

5. Who’s to Blame?Who’s to Blame?
 Students?Students?
 Families?Families?
 Teachers?Teachers?
 Educational System?Educational System?

6. StudentsStudents
 Child’s attitudes, values, andChild’s attitudes, values, and
skillsskills
 Eager or motivated in theEager or motivated in the
classroomclassroom
 Focusing on friends rather thanFocusing on friends rather than
school workschool work

7. FamiliesFamilies
 Influence by familyInfluence by family
 Differences in the family’sDifferences in the family’s
education valueseducation values
 Home support for schoolHome support for school
 Cultural and social differencesCultural and social differences

8. TeachersTeachers
 Not knowing a student’sNot knowing a student’s
interests, abilities and strugglesinterests, abilities and struggles
 ““Teaching down” to studentsTeaching down” to students
labeled as inept or unablelabeled as inept or unable

9. Educational SystemEducational System
 Current school culture does notCurrent school culture does not
address the unique needs ofaddress the unique needs of
lower income, inner citylower income, inner city
minoritiesminorities

10. Jonathan KozelJonathan Kozel
 ““I believe we need a nationalI believe we need a national
amendment which willamendment which will
guarantee every child inguarantee every child in
America the promise of not justAmerica the promise of not just
an equal education but a high-an equal education but a high-
quality equal education.”quality equal education.”