Download
1 / 30
300 likes | 409 Views
Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The Facts. A n achievement gap exists when groups of students with relatively equal ability fail to achieve at the same levels in school – in fact, one group often far exceeds the achievement level of the other. . The Facts.
E N D
The Facts An achievement gap exists when groups of students with relatively equal ability fail to achieve at the same levels in school – in fact, one group often far exceeds the achievement level of the other.
The Facts A Few Common Gaps Are the Gaps Between: • Students above and students below the poverty line • White, African-American and Latino students • Students with Limited English Language Proficiency and English proficient students • Students with and students without disabilities
The Facts Pennsylvania has some of the largest achievement gaps in the country.
Black-White GapNAEP Grade 4 Reading Source: EdWatch Online, http://www.edtrust.org
Poor-Non Poor GapNAEP Grade 4 Reading Source: EdWatch Online, http://www.edtrust.org
2004 PSSA Grade 11 Reading Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us
2004 PSSA Grade 11 Math Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us
2004 PSSA Grade 11 Readingby Race/Ethnicity Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us
2004 PSSA Grade 11 Mathby Race/Ethnicity Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania High School Graduation Rates (2001) Source: Jay Greene and Greg Forster. Public High School Graduation and College Going Readiness Rates in the United States. The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, September 2003.
The Bottom Line? By the end of 11th grade: • Pennsylvania’s African American and Latino students are two to three times as likely to be performing below the basic level compared to the state’s White students. • There are similar gaps for low-income students, only about half of whom are reaching even the basic level in reading and math. • The annual dropout rates and their one-year changes by racial/ethnic category were: • 4.0% for Blacks • 5.2% for Latinos • 1.3% for Whites Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us
Consequences for the Commonwealth • Certain populations of PA students will continue to be unprepared for college and/or the workforce. • Directly impacts the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness, quality of life. • NCLB also requires that all students perform at least at the proficient level.
While there is no quick or easy fix for the achievement gap, Pennsylvania has an obligation to meet the challenge and raise achievement of all students. Pennsylvania State Board of Education
Research Shows the GapsCANBe Closed Data shows that there are schools with high percentages of low-income and/or minority children that have closed the achievement gap among groups of students.
Our Belief • 3 things students need from adults: • BELIEF in their abilities to master a rigorous curriculum. • TIME tailored to specific student needs • UNDERSTANDING that not all students learn the same way and at the same rate
Our Goals • Close the achievement gap among subgroups • Bring every student to proficient or above in reading and math • Successful prevention/intervention – via proven practice
Researchshows that the very techniques used to help bring success to struggling learners improve teaching practices, the learning environment and results for all students. Pennsylvania State Board of Education
Elementary Schools AVTS High Schools Middle schools SCHOOLS Pennsylvania State Board of Education
16PAGE 1SCHOOLS 6Urban 3Rural 7Suburban
16PAGE 1SCHOOLS 6 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 3 Jr./Sr. High Schools 3High Schools
16PAGE 1SCHOOLS Pennsylvania State Board of Education
PAGE 1SCHOOLS • Are being created in collaboration with Intermediate Units • Are governed by a planning and oversight committee • Use proven strategies for success in closing the achievement gap.
PAGE 1SCHOOLS • PAGE 1 Schools not only had to meet certain criteria, but they had to be willing to participate. • We are grateful to the schools that have willingly and courageously volunteered to participate in this initiative.
PAGE 1SCHOOLS will… • Establish success stories in Pennsylvania • Commit a community leadership team to each school. • Put successful, research-proven practices to work. • Promote artful and strategic use of our schools best teachers and time.
PAGE 1SCHOOLS • Align curriculum with state standards & anchors. • Use frequent benchmark assessments to identify & provide remediation. • Encourage parent involvement
Activities • PAGE 1 schools visited to “frontier schools” in other states • Training in school improvement planning & data analysis • Leadership training for PAGE 1 school principals • Community involvement training
What’s Next • Implement school improvement plans • Address individual school professional development needs • Continue efforts through 2007 • Apply lessons learned
Questions? Jim Buckheit State Board of Education (717) 787-3787 Jbuckheit@state.pa.us
