1. Insights from #Edchat and Teach for America on Closing the Opportunity Gap
This week’s afternoon #edchat discussion was about the opportunity gap. We tackled the
ultimate question: How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality
education and opportunity? As a Teach for America alum and a regular #edchatter, I left
this discussion filled with much left to reflect on about the opportunity gap.
@michellek: If education is supposed to be the great equalizer, then make it happen with
equal access. #edchat
I look at this quote and think, isn’t that what the United States is all about - education and
opportunity having the power to close these gaps? Then I remember my amazingly
capable yet “left behind” students, my extremely underfunded school, my misguided
administration, my clueless state representatives and think, if only!
Teach for America Aims to Eliminate Educational Inequity
Teach for America’s mission statement is that “One day, all children in this nation will
have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.” The mission of Teach for America
is to build a movement to eliminate educational inequity – not to fill teacher shortages.
While some like Larry Ferlazzo oppose Teach for America, insisting that TFA is not in
the best interest of students and most alumni leave after 2 years, I question whether or not
those in opposition have ever talked or collaborated with a TFA corps member, parents of
students taught by corps members, or the students themselves.
The truth is that Teach for America is aware that enlisting and training high-quality
teachers is one step, but not the end all solution. Instead, there is a deep belief that the
best hope for ending educational inequity is to build a massive force of leaders in all
fields who have the perspective and conviction that come from teaching successfully in
low-income communities. More than 60% of Teach for America alumni stay in the
education field after their two-year commitment – with most working in the K-12 field,
while more than half of beginning teachers leave education within the first five years.
A recent study released by the non-profit organization surveyed nearly 2,000 Teach for
America teachers working in the front lines on their beliefs about the causes and solutions
to the achievement gap. The findings were shockingly similar to the #edchat discussion.
Increasing teacher and instructional quality as well as maintaining consistently high
expectations of students were among the top solutions suggested.
#edchat Recap: 5 Ingredients for Closing the Opportunity Gap
1. Maintain High Expectations – NO EXCUSES
@smcgon: Inequity happens when teachers don't truly believe all children can learn.
#edchat

2. There is this notion that kids without privilege cannot learn and that their parents and
families don’t care about their student’s achievement. We, as teachers, need to stop
making excuses and set the bar high for every student. My students’ families were
extremely dedicated to their students, working two and sometimes three jobs to provide
for their kids. They may not have always been available to make it to a back to school
night, but they cared about their students and they care about their learning.
Quality Administration, Instruction, and Teachers
@Jpsteltz: the one common denominator for all students is the teacher...if teacher is
effective, all students have access #edchat
@rkiker: @rliberni I believe good teacher make edu happen regardless of resources.
#edchat
We need higher quality administrators, higher quality instruction, and higher quality
teachers in our nation’s most at-risk schools. The question is, how do we continue to
recruit, train and KEEP quality administrators, teachers, and instruction in these schools?
Funding and Resources
@EightFalls: Equal funding for every student regardless of where they live or their test
scores? #edchat
@tbfurman: Reliance on property tax builds in a poverty penalty as well as a basic
inequity. #edchat
Another problem is that we base funding on test scores and property taxes. It is a self-
destructing circle of inequity. Some of the lowest funded schools are in the highest need.
However, it isn’t just about funding. Funding is often poorly allocated and cannot
increase teacher, student, and community expectations.
@edtechsteve: If we're talking about helping stdnts born into poverty, need 2 stop talking
about $$ & start talking relationships #edchat
Advocacy, Relationships and Community
@bjnichols: Equity requires being a strong advocate for the students that you serve. We
have rscrs because we go out & find em #edchat
@shellTerrell: We start by building relationships w community & business leaders!
#edchat
@rkiker: @ShellTerrell Local community connections are key, they want to help, use
them! #edchat

3. As teachers, our most important responsibility is to advocate for our students. Working
with the community to find resources, provide role models, and increase involvement is
one of the most valuable things educators can do for at-risk students.
Power, Privilege and Policy
@spedteacher: It is in the interest of the power class to prevent those without power from
attaining it. #edchat
@wmchamberlain: #Edchat To affect change in our nation today we need to be
politically active. We need to create an ed reform party.
Whether or not you agree with @spedteacher that the opportunity gap is deliberate; we
can all agree that we must stand up and be the change agent our students need - not only
in our classrooms and our schools, but in our states and nation as a whole.