Susan Ohanian has an article called The achievement gap between poor and middle-class black and white children, by Richard Rothstein, who is is a research associate of the Economic Policy Institute. This is a reasoned analysis of The Achievement Gap, and the logic behind it’s existence. Rothstein says
It seems plausible that if some children can defy the demographic odds, all children can, but that belief reflects a reasoning whose naiveté we easily recognize in other policy areas. In human affairs where multiple causation is typical, causes are not disproved by exceptions….Yet despite such understanding, quite sophisticated people often proclaim that the success of some poor children proves that social disadvantage does not cause low achievement. Partly, our confusion stems from failing to examine the concrete ways that social class actually affects learning.
In turn, Rothstein addresses gaps or differences in reading, conversation, role modelling, health, and housing as factors contributing to school failure for socially disadvantaged populations. Rothstein doesn’t settle for mere critique, though. He offers a sensible suggestion for reform
… a focus on school reform alone is bound to be frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful. To work, school improvement must combine with policies that narrow the social and economic differences between children. Where these differences cannot easily be narrowed, school should be redefined to cover more of the early childhood, after-school, and summer times, when the disparate influences of families and communities are now most powerful.
The improvement of instructional practices piece is important for all students, and teachers need to figure out how to best go about it. Hint: Forget about research-based bullshit. Screw the programs! Watch the kids. Let them read and write, and draw, sing, dance, and build. They’ll let you know if you’re on the right track. Make time each day to have friendly conversations with them at close range.
The social work needs to be done at a policy level and not left to the teacher.
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