The racial achievement gap is the big unmentionable in today’s education system. The truth is: Our students of color – African American and Hispanic children – do not do as well in schools as white students. Often people want to explain that away by talking about socio-economic levels, parenting, early childhood experiences and other factors. But even when you adjust for those factors and compare groups of students from similar circumstances, the students from racial minority groups don’t do as well in school as their white peers.
Addressing this is difficult for administrators and teachers. It means turning upside down everything we were taught about teaching, especially that we should be “color blind.” Now, we have to learn to be aware of our biases, understand how they can create a learning barrier in the classroom, and what we can do to remove that barrier. We have to understand and believe that teachers’ and administrators’ expectations for minority students can have a direct effect on those students’ achievement.
We aren’t doing this as a feel-good effort. Federal laws, especially the No Child Left Behind Act, require us to measure – and improve – the academic performance of specified subgroups. But even more importantly, it’s the right thing to do. It’s also good for all our students. The research shows that when you increase the achievement of subgroups of students, all scores go up, for all students.
We have spent many, many hours learning about these issues, talking about them – which, I can assure you, can be very uncomfortable – and writing a diversity action plan. This plan was accepted by the Fairfield Board of Education at its July 11, 2011 meeting. A copy of this plan can be accessed by following this link: FCS Diversity Plan
We are excited about this plan! We will begin implementation of the first steps in Fall 2011. This will mean good things which will improve the achievement of all students in our district.
Cathy Milligan, Outgoing Superintendent
Paul Otten, Incoming Superintendent
Resources
www.understandingrace.org - A good website that talks about what race means, and what it doesn't.
www.edweek.org/ew/issues/achievement-gap - An Education Week article that provides a concise outline of the basic issues involved in the racial achievment gap.
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/gaps/ - The National Center for Education Statistics provides data on the racial achievement gap.
www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/education/15educ.html - A NY Times article that looks at regional differences in achievement gaps.
www.eplc.org/clearinghouse_achievementgap.html - A variety of achievement gap information on the web site of the Educational Policy Information Clearinghouse.
Equity Leadership Team
Laurence Jones, Parent, Chairperson
Paul Otten, Superintendent
Katrina Key Baker, Parent
Roger Martin, Assistant Superintendent for Academics
Felecia Dorsey, Assistant Principal, Central Elementary School
Tracy Ashford, Guidance Counselor, Fairfield High School
Mike Jones, Teacher, Fairfield High School
Dawn Mann, Teacher, Fairfield High School
Jonai Jones, Student, Fairfield High School
Keondre Goodwin, Student, Fairfield High School
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