The elimination of disparities in academic performance and achievement between students of different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups represents one of the greatest challenges for our public school system.  The achievement gap conversation is generally defined by the failure of students of color, students from poor families and students for whom English is a second language to reach the high levels of literacy and academic learning that are critical for educational and economic success.  Another view of the achievement gap focuses on racial and socioeconomic subgroups’ performance relative to desired proficiency standards.  By any measure, achievement gaps among these student groups show up persistently in their grades, standardized test scores, course selection, drop-out rates, and college completion rates.  These gaps represent not merely an academic problem, but also a serious threat to the economic and social fabric of our society. 

 

Research reveals that there is no single cause of the gaps between racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups – and, similarly, no single solution.  However, in an environment of increased standards and accountability - and the imperatives of state and federal education policy - educators across the country must find ways to respond to the central goal of NCLB by reducing the gaps and raising student achievement for all students.

 

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