The Achievement Gap - 1119 Words

In the education sector, the achievement gap delineates the observed disparity in school performance among student groups. This gap is manifested in measures such as test scores, grades, college completion and dropout rates, and selection of courses. Within the U.S. context, the achievement gap has often been used to refer to the worrying performance disparities between Latinos and African-Americans on one hand and their non-Hispanic white counterparts on the other. The gap also describes academic differences between students hailing from socioeconomically disadvantaged and those who are better off. Throughout history, Hispanic and African-American students have persistently lagged behind whites in academic matters, triggering heated policy discussions. In the recent past, various policy initiatives have been adopted to minimize educational disparities in the U.S. Notable strides include the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislative piece prioritized the bridging of the achievement gap at the federal level, leading to the adoption of targeted interventions for diverse student groups (Arceneaux 391). The available evidence suggests that Hispanic and African-American students have improved in such areas as mathematics and reading. However, the achievement gap between Blacks and Hispanics and Whites is still evident. Recent analyses reveal that Hispanic and African-American students trail their white peers by approximately twenty test-score points onShow MoreRelatedThe Gap Of The Achievement Gap917 Words   |  4 Pages The achievement gap is the education gap between the performance group of students in which these groups are usually defined by their social status, race or gender. The education experts proved that this gap had a negative impact on the students of the new generation as most of them tend to believe that this gap couldn t be changed and that their life success and learning will be depending on their social status, race or gender. This gap not only affects students, but also affects everyone in theRead MoreAchievement Gaps1012 Words   |  5 PagesAchievement Gaps Reading, writing and the ability to solve simple mathematical problems are a part of the necessary tools needed to survive in America. Consequently, such learning tools are used numerous times throughout the day without recognition. However, reading, writing and basic knowledge of mathematical problems are not equally achieved by all social groups. It is clear that education plays a major role in the future of an individual, yet there are achievement gaps between Black, WhiteRead More Achievement Gap Essay1447 Words   |  6 PagesThe achievement gap is defined as the disparity between the performance groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, ability and socio-economic status. The achievement gap can be observed through a variety of measures including standardized test scores, grade point averages, drop out rates, college enrollment and completion rates. The Black-White achievement gap is a critical issue in modern society’s education system. A lthough data surrounding the issue clearly indicatesRead MoreAchievement Gap with Minorities753 Words   |  3 Pagesabout achievement gap is broached, it is often offensive towards minorities. Mainly because it implies that you’re acknowledging the fact that there is and achievement difference among their race and Whites. Personally I have no problem with the term because it is factual. It’s what school officials are not doing to close this gap that i have a problem with The achievement gap is sustained by poor school management and teaching—not other social or cultural factors. In order to close this gap amongRead MoreThe Achievement Gap Of Education905 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Achievement Gap.† These are two of the most powerful and controversial words in the educational field today. Professionals use the term achievement gap to refer to the differences in performance, whether it be test scores, attendance, drop-out rates, graduation rates, etc., amongst the various student populations in education. There have been many educational policies and reforms in an attempt to narrow the achievement gap amongst the various ethnic groups namely, â€Å"No Child Left Behind† (NCLB)Read MoreThe Segregation Of The Achievement Gap1837 Words   |  8 PagesThe Camouflaged Segregation of the Achievement Gap in the United States Education System The first public school in the United States opened in Boston in the year of 1821. By the end of the 19th century, public secondary schools began to outnumber private ones. Nevertheless, the education system started with many flaws. One of the biggest problems of the public educational system is that, although it gave the less advantaged an opportunity to learn, it did so in a segregated way. When we talk aboutRead MoreAchievement Gap Between The Educational Performance Gap931 Words   |  4 PagesAchievement gap refers to the difference between the educational performances of different groups of students (Hidden Curriculum, 2014). While this is still a common problem in society, many educators are trying to close the gap and get all students on the same page for success. It is important to know not only the types of achievement gaps faced within schools, but also how they can be handled effectively. One common achievement gap is that of upper-class majority students versus lower-c lass minorityRead MoreEducation And Academic Achievement Gap1304 Words   |  6 Pagesstudents. Many people believe that schools should focus on excelling on standardized testing, such as state tests and college entrance exams, and lowering the academic achievement gap. After all, these examinations are major factors in students’ future decisions and schools’ academic success greatly affects their overall achievement. Focusing on standardized testing is important; however, basic courses—such as English, mathematics, and science—are not the only subjects that are beneficial when preparingRead MoreThe Black White Achievement Gap1462 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American students in an affluent, suburban district have not successfully closed the achievement gap. These students’ are generally lower performing that whites and Asians and sometimes lower than Hispanic and/or socio-economically disadvantaged. According to Sohn (2012) the phenomenon of the black white achievement gap has returned. Slaven and Madden (2006) assert â€Å"The gap in academic achievement between African American (as well as Latino) children and their White peers is arguably theRead MoreThe Achievement Gap Is Difficult For Children2305 Words   |  10 PagesMarkese Jones Mr. Hance AP Writing Lab 10 February 2015 The Achievement Gap The achievement gap is difficult for children just entering school because the bar has already been set to where some of those children are going to land. At the age of three, children of people with careers have vocabularies that are nearly 1.5 times greater than