Racial Achievement Gap
As a result of improved technology, individuals responsible for overseeing improvements in public education have identified a challenge called: The Achievement Gap. Simply put, it is a "Racial Achievement Gap":
- The difference between the highest and lowest performing ethnic groups
This 2001 academic study examines race and the achievement gap in Berkeley.
In an interview with Abigail Thernstrom, author of the book: No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning (Simon & Schuster, October 2003), she covers the factors that contribute the achievement gap.
Here is a high level summary of the book "No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning".
The goal is to decrease the gap while maintaining positive achievement growth for all ethnic groups.
This study suggests that school reform alone can not close the achievement gap.
Is it a matter of discipline and something that teachers can address through explicit behavior modeling?
In 2008, State Superintendent kicked off a four year program focused on closing the achievement gap in California.
|
English Langauge Arts |
01/02 | 02/03 | 03/04 | 04/05 | 05/06 | 06/07 | 08/09 |
| All | 45% | 50% | 52% | 57% | 63% | 62% | 68% |
| White | 56% | 61% | 64% | 70% | 76% | 73% | 80% |
| Asian | 53% | 58% | 59% | 65% | 70% | 72% | 74% |
| American Indian/Alaskan | 39% | 44% | 36% | 36% | 42% | 47% | 49% |
| Filipino | 38% | 45% | 47% | 50% | 60% | 57% | 61% |
| Pacific Islander | 30% | 29% | 38% | 39% | 46% | 34% | 46% |
| Hispanic | 28% | 32% | 33% | 38% | 43% | 47% | 51% |
| Black (Non-Hispanic) | 21% | 26% | 26% | 33% | 36% | 36% | 42% |
| Racial Achievement Gap | 35% | 36% | 38% | 36% | 39% | 37% | 37% |
|
Mathematics |
01/02 | 02/03 | 03/04 | 04/05 | 05/06 | 06/07 | 08/09 |
| All | 44% | 49% | 53% | 58% | 63% | 61% | 66% |
| Asian | 60% | 66% | 72% | 76% | 78% | 77% | 80% |
| White | 48% | 54% | 60% | 66% | 71% | 68% | 74% |
| Filipino | 36% | 45% | 45% | 53% | 59% | 56% | 61% |
| American Indian/Alaskan | 28% | 34% | 36% | 34% | 36% | 38% | 39% |
| Hispanic | 25% | 29% | 32% | 36% | 40% | 43% | 44% |
| Pacific Islander | 38% | 43% | 36% | 39% | 47% | 39% | 46% |
| Black (Non-Hispanic) | 18% | 23% | 23% | 30% | 34% | 33% | 39% |
| Racial Achievement Gap | 42% | 43% | 50% | 46% | 45% | 44% | 41% |
API Scores by Ethnic Subgroups by School
In order to align the limited resources of AUSD, a 5 Year Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Education in June 2003. The strategic focus of the plan is every student will meet or exceed all AUSD and state standards as measured by district and state assessments.
In addition to the district wide focus, AUSD partnered with Springboard Schools formerly known as Bay Area Reform School Collaborative(BASRC). Using the area of literacy, BASRC and four AUSD schools is using a Cycle of Inquiry methodology to explore how changes to instructional practices can improve student achievement in literacy. See Single School Plans for more specific school information.
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Last modified: August 9, 2004
Disclaimer: This website is the sole responsibility of Mike McMahon. It does not represent any official opinions, statement of facts or positions of the Alameda Unified School District. Its sole purpose is to disseminate information to interested individuals in the Alameda community.