Exploring, understanding, and closing the achievement gap(S): Efforts from harlem to homewood

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to review briefly the state of education in America, with a particular focus on its racial/ethnic and social class “achievement gaps.†The chapter begins with a brief overview of the changing demographics of America. I then report recent data on the magnitude and trends in the various achievement gaps. Next, I examine the social and economic impact of the achievement gaps on the well-being of the nation. Finally, I describe current approaches to close the achievement gaps, with an emphasis on the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) and a current effort in Pittsburgh, PA, inspired by the HCZ, called the Homewood Children’s Village.