Teachers play a vital role in closing the student achievement gap. By learning new strategies in how they approach instructing students, lesson planning, assessing students and providing feedback, teachers can help at-risk students who are falling short of achievement standards.
Learning about these strategies often requires further professional development, such as the online courses offered for teachers by Fresno Pacific University. They offer the latest strategies for teachers to employ that can help close the achievement gap.
What Is the Achievement Gap?
The term achievement gap refers to disparities in academic performance and educational attainment between distinct groups of students. There are many ways to divide groups of students to ascertain whether there is an achievement gap. They can be considered separately by race, for example, or socio-economic status.
Only gaps that are significant and persistent are considered achievement gaps that should be addressed by educators.
These gaps are not limited to race, ethnic origin or economic status. The National Education Association (NEA) points out that gaps can also occur along gender lines, writing that “some groups may trail at particular points, for example, boys in the early years and girls in high school math and science.”
Sharon Owyang, the instructor for the course who has a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, said the gap grows as students progress through school.
“The Achievement Gap is a challenge for educators as they review the data from grade level test scores, school district and state test scores,” Owyang said. “The Achievement Gap tends to widen as the students progress through the grades; it becomes harder to catch up. Learning may be marginalized with poor attendance, socio-economic status, and language disabilities.”
Why Is It Important to Close the Achievement Gap?
Achievement gaps that begin in school can impact a child’s future. NEA data supports what Owyang pointed out. Students trailing in certain academic areas early in school have a lesser chance of completing high school or earning a college degree.
The NEA writes that the achievement gap may even impact “ the kinds of jobs students secure as adults.”
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. international students on standardized test scores.
Test scores aren’t the whole story, though. 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:
- Graduation rates
- College enrollment rates
- College completion rates
- Course grades
- Dropout rates
- Absenteeism rates
- Disciplinary infractions
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.
Fresno Pacific University Course
This course is applicable to teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade across all subject areas, including English language learners, special education, and inclusive classrooms. Teachers will have the opportunity to create a project lesson to implement in their classrooms. The course also includes input from working educators about closing the achievement gap and provides a forum for teachers to exchange questions and ideas.
Features and Benefits
- Targeted Instruction Tools: The course includes curriculum documents, a plan book, and a grade book to help teachers focus on targeted instruction.
- Engagement Strategies: Teachers will learn how to engage students using peer collaboration and hooks that captivate their interest.
- Lesson Design and Clarity: Ideas for designing lessons that clarify goals and make them understandable for students.
- High Yield Learning Strategies: Information on how to apply high-impact learning strategies in the classroom.
- Interactive Notebooks: Guidance on setting up and using Interactive Notebooks for effective student learning.
- Goal Tracking: Planning tools for goal tracking sheets that help students clarify their goals and the effort required to achieve them.
- Support for English Language Learners: Promotion of progress for English Language Learners with focused language and content goals.
- Co-Teaching Models: Examination and selection of co-teaching models that might work well in the classroom.
- Whole Child Teaching Approach: The course highlights the importance of Whole Child teaching, which addresses both academic and social-emotional wellness.
- Common Core State Standards: The course integrates Common Core state standards and provides nine different strategies for closing the achievement gap, along with classroom progress videos.