Tell me about your school?

Question

1. Do you believe an achievement gap exists at your school?
2. If so, what do you think is the cause?
3. Is there anything schools can do to diminish the achievement gap?

Do you think your school can make the following changes?
-more equitably distribute students and goods?
-make self-concept an important priority?
-decrease in-school segregation?

What grade did/do you teach? In what county/state?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Grades 9-12 in Louisiana.

1. Yes
2. Lack of parental involvement
3. No child left behind holds the teacher and school and kid accountable. This will only be totally effective when/if the parent holds some liability.

Decrease in-school is impossible. People in my area, at least, segregate themselves. When we have a pep-rally, or go to lunch or even in classrooms where the teacher doesn't assign seats, you can almost see the racial lines. Communities do this too. Ive seen redistricting in my area redered useless after a decade because people will move to be in an area they want to be in. And, face it, you can't keep people from moving where they want to.

Answer 2

I teach in 11-16 year olds in the UK. Our school is in the middle of an inner-city deprived area with high unemployment and crime. Though our school is not failing and provides a very good education we do fall a little below the national average. We have policies in place and are constantly working to improve our teaching and the learning experience for each individual. Teaching critical thinking and independent learning is central to our approach but is something we have tried more recently so it's too early to say if it works or not. As for segregation I think this is a growing problem but one that unfortunately senior management are not yet ready to accept or take on too seriously as a whole school problem beyond the required inclusion policy.

Answer 3

There is a gap between our school results and the national average... we're in an under priviledged area, which affects results. Schools are putting intervention programs in place to improve performance, though it's early days yet. We have very successful inclusion in our school though.
I teach aged 8-10 year olds in the UK.

Answer 4

It depends on where you work. If it is the United States, the parent and early preparation plays a huge role in student performance.

Answer 5

the college i attend is SANT ANA COLLEGE, in santa an, ca, and is one of nations best! the progress that the hispanics and asians have made in this school is the envy of america! there is no!! kind of segregaion! the college is over 60% latino! in fact, the causians are the minority! there are huge amounts of vietnamese here also! the gaps that you talk about simply do not exist in sant ana college! look it up!