Eliminating the Achievement Gap Is Educational Alchemy is the title of an excellent column in Ed Week today.
In it, Walt Gardner articulately reinforces Richard Rothstein’s point that, while schools might be able to narrow the achievement gap, outside factors eliminate the possibility of schools bridging it completely on their own.
Another reason why schools need to connect with parents and other community groups to try to confront those problems outside the schoolhouse doors.
Totally agree with you, which is why I’ve been working to help volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs grow in high poverty neighborhoods for the past 17 years. Such programs can get adults who don’t live in poverty involved in helping kids grow up. They can provide richer learning opportunities, expanded experiences beyond what kids might have in their own family/community. They can also transform volunteers so more people are personally involved and committed than what we have now.