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I agree with Samuel. The achievement gap really is an opportunity gap. We do not live in an equal society. Not every student has the opportunity to talk to encouraging parents that attended college about homework and future plans. Not every student has access to a nice computer with high speed internet. Not every student can visit a museum, spend time at a library, have a home library, go to the opera, see the oceans, mountain, desert, etc. Every student should have the same opportunities, but our current socioeconomic system does not support that. We are ever more divided into rich and poor, white and non-white, us and them. The struggle for equality will always have to be fought. Teachers are certainly in the trenches.

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I learned that the achievement gap has existed for a long time and little has changed that over the decades.  All legislation attempting to fix it has failed.

One thing I can do in my classroom is inform them of the situation and how much I believe that we can change it-- one student at a time.

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One thing I learned, is that the achievement gap can occur before students even begin school. I was surprised by this, but when I think about it, it makes sense.
The most simple thing I can do to help lessen the achievement gap in my classroom is by being aware of its existence. Creating engaging lessons and being aware of each individual students' needs are also ways I can help lessen it.

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One thing I learned about the achievement gap is the no child left behind act was meant to hold teachers accountable for minimizing the gap even though we did not get the outcome we thought.

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One thing I learned about the achievement gap is that students who come from low income families tend to regress during the summer and middle class students tend to advance during the summer.

One way I can help is by providing my students with materials to review over the summer, fun videos or programs to review concepts and resources they can access at their local library to keep on top of their academics in a fun and engaging way.
by Alejandra Lugo

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Folding T-Shirts at the Achievement Gap - Samuel Harris

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Folding T-Shirts at the Achievement Gap - Samuel Harris

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One of the things that has become abundantly clear to me about the "Achievement Gap" (ugh, more on that later*) is that we as educators need to be able to differentiate our instruction to accommodate different learning styles and different learners. As a teacher, I know that it's imperative that I help to close the AG by differentiating instruction and planning culturally relevant lessons that engage my students fully.

*One of the more resonant texts we read in this program is a book by William and Rick Ayers that addresses the "Achievement Gap" and defines it as more of an "Opportunity Gap". I like that moniker better because it illustrates what we as educators are truly up against: the inequity in funding for public schools especially for low-income (and often African-American and Hispanic) students. Our students want to achieve, no matter their race or SES but it seems that most often the problems come when they are deprived of vital resources and materials, which is especially prevalent in low-income areas. LCFF is trying to rectify this, which is a great start, but we need to campaign as teachers and citizens for more equitable funded schools across the board if we really want to see the Opportunity Gap close. (sorry for rambling)

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I was surprised about the detectable gap at the pre-k level and wonder what community efforts have been made to lessen the gap.
As a teacher I really try to encourage and support my special pops students in any way possible. Might it be with extra one on one time, providing them with words of encouragement or by providing them with outside resources, I really try to assist them with any of their issues inside of  the classroom as well as outside of the classroom.

Keith

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One thing I learned was that the achievement gap begins prior to the students enter school. I also thought it was encouraging to hear how we as teachers can help shorten the gap.

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One thing I learned about the achievement gap is that it begins to exist before students even enter school.

As a teacher, I can help lessen the achievement gap by keeping my standards high for every child, regardless of their ethnicity and SES.

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One thing I learned about the achievement gap is that there are many factors that lead to the achievement gap, which is really difficult to correct because you would have to completely change the system.

I as a teacher can help lessen the achievement gap by teaching in a school with primarily minority students. I believe I can be a great role model due to my ethnicity.

Rosana