Our team is always seeking the latest news in the field of education. As advocates for a quality education for ALL students, we know we have to stay up-to-date on everything that’s going on in the education spheres of our nation…from the White House to the local public school district, from new legislation to the small acts of bravery and kindness made by a single teacher, from the milestones and celebrations to the hazardous injustices affecting many of our nations students.
Each week, we would like to share some of the best stories with you. Because we believe you should stay up-to-date, too!
Zak Bickel / The Atlantic
The Concentration of Poverty in American Schools via The Atlantic
This article was written several months ago, but we think this analysis provides a great picture of the injustices that are currently trending in schools across the country.
The analysis shows that, consistently, students of color in the US’s largest 100 cities are much more likely to attend schools where most of their peers are poor or low-income. Do you consider this a severe injustice? We sure do.
“The difference in the rate at which black, Hispanic, and white students go to school with poor classmates is the best predictor of the racial-achievement gap.”
Karsten Moran for The New York Times
How to Fix the Country’s Failing Schools. And How Not To. via The New York Times
Also from early this year, this article looks at Newark’s big mistake in placing their faith in the idea of disruptive change & charismatic leaders. This piece also answers questions like…Is it possible for students who come from homes where books are rarities to become adept readers?
“Newark’s big mistake was not so much that the school officials embraced one solution or another but that they placed their faith in the idea of disruptive change and charismatic leaders. Union City adopted the opposite approach, embracing the idea of gradual change and working within existing structures.”
AP/Elaine Thompson
How Much Can High-Quality Universal Pre-K Reduce Achievement Gaps? via The Center For American Progress
Did you know that many children of color and children from low-income families are behind in math and reading when entering kindergarten. This article explores how high-quality Pre-K can solve this issue, as well as lower the achievement gap.
“Many children of color and children from low-income families enter kindergarten without the academic skills they need to succeed. Compared to their white peers, African American and Hispanic children are anywhere from 9 to 10 months behind in math and 7 to 12 months behind in reading when they enter kindergarten.”
Getty Images
America Forward: 7 Education Priorities for the Next President via The 74
Deborah Smolover, the executive director of America Forward, proactively outlines the priorities the next president should make in education. This list includes bringing the community into the classroom, focusing on early learning research, and funding what works in education. We love this list! Do you?
“The next president has an opportunity to change the status quo, and the conversation should begin now. The time is ripe for candidates to recognize and amplify the solutions that are working in communities throughout the country, and address how they can more efficiently leverage federal resources and policies to transform this local impact into national change.”
Did any of these articles particularly speak to you? We would love to know your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below:
May 4, 2016
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The Expectations Project
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