How can teachers close the achievement gap

Just like Ava, any teacher can propel students to perform better with attention to their individual needs. Think of the following tips as starting points. Join the conversation! By employing strategies across school teams, we can realize more improved outcomes than on our own. Data is a gift. Let's use it. Tip: Use a consistent and simple tool to measure student writing progress month over month. Even a spreadsheet of student scores will help you keep track. Too often students will complete an assignment but never reflect back upon the process or what they learned.

While we can encourage students to look over their work, we will be more successful by carving out dedicated time and building a classroom culture of self-reflection. This way, we ensure that students are assessing their mistakes and working to correct them. Staff members have opened themselves up to a deeper commitment of knowing the kids, and the focus on building strong student-teacher relationships and setting high expectations gives kids the tools they need to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

The foundation is relationships—between students and the adults in the building, but also within the student and adult peer groups. The relationship work is grounded in SEL, as are the systems the school has established to improve outcomes—the five core values, displayed in every hallway, are Answer the Call, More Grit, Others First, Own it, and No Limits. Teachers regularly observe each other and provide peer feedback, building stronger relationships, unearthing better teaching practices, and increasing their ability to apply consistently high standards across the school.

Students trailing in certain academic areas early in school have a lesser chance of completing high school or earning a college degree. The Glossary of Education Reform notes that achievement gaps are most often pointed out between white and Asian students and black and Hispanic students and also American students as a whole vs. The education reform site, which is run by the Great Schools Partnership nonprofit group, also notes that achievement gaps can be seen in the following data sets:.

Research over the years has helped teachers develop strategies that can narrow the achievement gap for receptive students. Many of these strategies are discussed in professional development courses such as the one offered by Fresno Pacific University.

The course focuses on how teachers can play a vital role in helping those students who are falling short of standards and achievements through changes in lesson planning, teaching, assessment practices, and feedback. That is the single most powerful measure to influence student learning.

The course applies to teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade in all subject areas. This includes English language learners, special education and inclusive classrooms.

Part of the course allows teachers to create a project lesson to include in their classroom. Writing A-Z. Coming Soon. Foundations A-Z.

Writing A-Z Adventure Zone. ELL Edition. Raz-Plus Connected Classroom. Who We Serve. What We Support. Research-Based Instruction. Social-Emotional Learning. Blended Learning. Differentiated Instruction. Dual Language. Special Education. Response to Intervention RTI.

Cultural Responsiveness. Impact in Action. Awards and Accolades.