The Achievement Gap

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the achievement gap between African-American and Caucasian students as it relates to education. It discusses the gap from a historical and cultural perspective. It then explores the context of this issue as it relates to standards of education and analyzes the findings of several articles regarding the impact of this issue on pre-service teachers.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Context With Link To Standards Of Education
Summary And Analysis Of Several Articles
Impact Of This Issue Of Pre-Service Teachers

From the Paper:

"The segregation of African American and Caucasian children prior to 1964 continues to have a profound effect on the achievement levels of students. In addition, there are issues of socioeconomic class that play a significant role in achievement levels. In recent years this gap has increased significantly as the disparities between the rich and the poor have also widened. Because there are such differences between the wealthy and the poor in this country there are also substantial differences in the standard of education from place to place. There have been various attempts over the years to close this gap. Under the Bush administration the No Child Left Behind Act was developed to address the Achievement gap. Since the implementation of this Act there has been a great deal of conflict concerning both its implementation and the impact that the act has actually had on the achievement gap as it relates to Black and White students. Setting specific standards as it relates to expectations for achievement and curriculum is critical to closing the achievement gap between black and white students."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "African America Achievement in America". Retrieved May 4, 2006 http://www2.edtrust.org/NR/rdonlyres/9AB4AC88-7301-43FF-81A3-EB94807B917F/0/AfAmer_Achivement.pdf
• Doering, A., Huffman D., Hughes J. (2003) Preservice Teachers: Are We Thinking with Technology? Journal of Research on Technology in Education. 35. (3), 342.
• Donlevy, J. (2002). Closing the Achievement Gap: Plausible Solutions, Multiple Dimensions. International Journal of Instructional Media, 29(2), 143+.
• Ferguson, R., Mehta J. (2004) THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY - an Unfinished Journey: The Legacy of Brown and the Narrowing of the Achievement Gap. Phi Delta Kappan. 85(9), 656.
• Noguera, P. A., & Akom, A. (2000, June 5). CAUSES OF THE RACIAL ACHIEVEMENT GAP ALL DERIVE FROM UNEQUAL TREATMENT : Disparities Demystified. The Nation, 270, 29.

More papers on The Achievement Gap:

• Analytical Essay # 150343 : "The Achievement Gap and Multicultural Solutions"
• Persuasive Essay # 149225 : "Addressing the Achievement Gap"
• Term Paper # 121625 : "Achievement Gap in Education"

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