The achievement gap in many schools today is not a new concept or concern. In recent years, school districts have worked aimlessly to narrow or eliminate achievement gaps in classrooms across America, yet are seeing little if any positive increase. There is a large achievement gap in the area of children of color and white children in many schools. Unfortunately, this educational concern dates back to World War I, and we still battle in equality and funding of schools. “Funding schools as if all populations face the same problems and had the same needs is an equally ineffective means of addressing the achievement gap” (Gardner, 2007, p. 543). In some cases, states distribute money according to the greatest needs of the students. This money
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To begin, racism and poverty are not new to schools. Our school is a Title I, bilingual campus and there were many times I found myself agreeing with the academic concerns on campus. Yes, our campus would like more money for more interventions, support staff, and enrichment however, we must look at the root cause of the concern, which is society. “The achievement gap and the problems that continue to feed it are a reflecting of society and its attitude” (Gardner, 2007, p. 545). As citizens, we must refocus our attitudes towards poverty and racism in order to gain control over the achievement level in schools. As a teacher, I found the article helpful in that there is only so much I can do as a teacher. I alone cannot change society, but I can change my classroom and the way the students believe in themselves. In addition, the article impacted my thinking to how I treat parents and students on campus. Do I greet everyone the same? Do I call on students equally? Am I defensive and pointing fingers at others for my failures? It is time to stop blaming others for the reason behind the achievement gap, and start taking responsibility for the increase in student’s academic
To begin, racism and poverty are not new to schools. Our school is a Title I, bilingual campus and there were many times I found myself agreeing with the academic concerns on campus. Yes, our campus would like more money for more interventions, support staff, and enrichment however, we must look at the root cause of the concern, which is society. “The achievement gap and the problems that continue to feed it are a reflecting of society and its attitude” (Gardner, 2007, p. 545). As citizens, we must refocus our attitudes towards poverty and racism in order to gain control over the achievement level in schools. As a teacher, I found the article helpful in that there is only so much I can do as a teacher. I alone cannot change society, but I can change my classroom and the way the students believe in themselves. In addition, the article impacted my thinking to how I treat parents and students on campus. Do I greet everyone the same? Do I call on students equally? Am I defensive and pointing fingers at others for my failures? It is time to stop blaming others for the reason behind the achievement gap, and start taking responsibility for the increase in student’s academic