Bridging the Education Gap
The education gap in the United States shows no signs of narrowing despite repeated efforts at federal, state and local level to reform the country's education system.
It is safe to say that the education gap in the United States is based upon the socio-economic status of students and their cultural backgrounds. In general, whites do better in school than blacks and Hispanics. However, statistics show that even if students come from almost identical economic backgrounds, students from Asian backgrounds will do better than whites, and whites will still do better than blacks and Hispanics.
Although statistics help to identify trends, many would argue that the education gap is something that can not effectively be tackled at federal level, at least not by simple educational reform. Bridging economic and cultural divides takes a lot more than a few extra teachers in schools or a new curriculum.
However, there is evidence that particular schools have bridged the education gap. It seems that with the right vision and cooperation between teachers, parents and students, the educational playing field can be leveled.
Of course, many schools have tried and failed. Here are some of the characteristics of the schools that succeeded:
- High expectations of achievement for all students and course content that supports these expectations.
- The principal and teachers run and manage every aspect of the school and have total authority.
- The school should have a clear mission statement and its primary focus should be on the academic achievements of the students.
- A talented and resourceful principal with excellent inter-personal, management and leadership skills.
- Parents who support and participate in how the school is managed, and who are supportive of their children.
- Students are given a say in what they learn and how they learn it, so they feel like part of the community that is that school.
This adds up to an educational facility that is strongly managed and where all participants (students, teachers and parents) share a common vision. It is true that these vital characteristics are more commonly found in private schools and schools located in affluent areas, but not exclusively so. Similar conditions have been achieved in public schools in less affluent areas with similar results.
Whether federal government and state education departments can make the necessary reforms to foster a culture of academic achievement in schools is questionable. It would seem that it takes strong management within each particular school to truly bring the best out of students and bridge the education gap.
Written by: Frank J Klein - CIOBack to Articles | Next Article | Relativity | Watch the Video
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