The Achievement Gap

Achievement GapAchievement Gap between students of high SES status between students of high SES status

vs. vs. students of low SES statusstudents of low SES status

Who’s to blame?Who’s to blame?

Why I chose this topic:Why I chose this topic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HFmzsgakps&feature=em-share_videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HFmzsgakps&feature=em-share_video_user_user

As a Sociology student in my undergraduate studies, I learned many facts As 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 the Have 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 Los Have 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 in Angeles, 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 is nearby 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 qualified that 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.

The questions I hope to The questions I hope to answer:answer:

Why do such disparities exist?Why do such disparities exist? What can be done to reverse the What can be done to reverse the

trends? trends? How can schools create a successful, How can schools create a successful,

motivational learning environment motivational learning environment where all students are capable of where all students are capable of reaching equal standards? reaching equal standards?

Research DesignResearch Design

Data for this study will be collected through an interview process with local Data 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 to The 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 low Do 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, what If 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?

Who’s to Blame?Who’s to Blame?

Students?Students? Families?Families? Teachers?Teachers? Educational System?Educational System?

StudentsStudents

Child’s attitudes, values, and Child’s attitudes, values, and skills skills

Eager or motivated in the Eager or motivated in the classroom classroom

Focusing on friends rather than Focusing on friends rather than school work school work

FamiliesFamilies

Influence by family Influence by family Differences in the family’s Differences in the family’s

education values education values Home support for school Home support for school Cultural and social differences Cultural and social differences

TeachersTeachers

Not knowing a student’s Not knowing a student’s interests, abilities and strugglesinterests, abilities and struggles

““Teaching down” to students Teaching down” to students labeled as inept or unable labeled as inept or unable

Educational SystemEducational System

Current school culture does not Current school culture does not address the unique needs of address the unique needs of lower income, inner city lower income, inner city minorities minorities

Jonathan KozelJonathan Kozel

““I believe we need a national I believe we need a national amendment which will amendment which will guarantee every child in guarantee every child in America the promise of not just America the promise of not just an equal education but a high-an equal education but a high-quality equal education.”quality equal education.”