Closing The Achievement Gap: Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract

Closing the achievement gap between low-and high-achieving public school students is an important goal of public education (p. 42, Lowell Rose and Alec Gallup, Phi Delta Kappan, 2007).  The paper will explore background information and research as well as discuss examples of best practices to close the achievement gap.  Several plans have been proposed as ways to enhance the achievement of under-represented students, according to the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll (Phi Delta Kappan, September 2007, p. 42), including additional instructional time, student assistance and increased assistance outside of the school day.