From Deseret News archives:
Schools told to focus on how students learn
Achievement gap won't narrow till then, expert says
Basic matters, such as what's "normal" considered a student's experience, not potential for learning and race and culture, are not universally defined. This impedes the work to close the gap, which persists as all children begin to raise academic achievement under initiatives including No Child Left Behind.
"The lack of clarity ... contributes to the education community being all over the place in addressing this issue," said Belinda Williams, psychologist and author of "Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices." She was the keynote speaker in the two-day convention's opening session.
The convention is titled "Meeting the Needs of All Learners Closing the Achievement Gaps." It comes as some state language arts and math test scores show more than 20-point spreads in the achievement between whites and some ethnic student groups.
While the State Office of Education says all groups' scores are up this year, that does little to close long-standing gaps, documented nationally for years and remaining despite billions of dollars spent to narrow them, Williams sad.
"The issue of culture is left to chance," she said. "That is a huge issue."
She also says including special education students in accountability blurs the achievement gap issue, as accountability is about groups, and special education is inherently individualized.
Williams calls for educators to stay up on the latest learning research and focus school improvement efforts accordingly.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
Comments
- Lakers booed at home in loss 12:53 a.m.
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 12:51 a.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 12:50 a.m.
- Students from abroad come to Utah 12:26 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:18 a.m.
- Sports briefs 12:17 a.m.
- Editorial: Red flags at Fort Hood 12:14 a.m.
- Rid Capitol Hill of 'roaches' 12:14 a.m.
- Health proposal not 'reform' 12:14 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:14 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
230 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
206 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
97 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
88
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...
If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...
I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...
why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...
A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...
I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...
A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...
she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...
Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...
Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...

You can be the first to comment on this story.