University of Redlands
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Email this pageSchool of Education Sponsors Forum on Achievement Gap
Contact: Katie Ismael
Katie_Ismael@redlands.edu
(909) 748-8387 (Phone)
June 20, 2008 -
"Closing the Achievement Gap: A Forum for Change in Education" will be held Thursday, June 26 at 6:45 p.m. in Gregory Hall Room 161. The discussion is sponsored by the University of Redlands School of Education.
The forum will feature several Southern California-based panelists, including school board members, researchers, school and district administrators and teachers. The event, which is free and open to the public, also will include a question and answer session.
The achievement gap between students of different races and socioeconomic backgrounds has been well documented and is an increasingly popular topic of research and discussion.
The gap is evident when looking at a variety of indicators in California, including test scores and graduation rates.
On the math segment of the California Standards Test, for example, 67 percent of Asian students and 53 percent of white students scored at the proficient level. In contrast, 30 percent of Hispanic students and 24 percent of black students were proficient. Among economically disadvantaged students, 30 percent were proficient.
"This disparity is not something that we can afford to ignore any longer," said Jose Lalas, a professor in the School of Education and a coordinator for the forum. "We need to have the courage to talk about these differences honestly, and to work together to come up with solutions that really work for all kids. We hope this event is the start of something exciting."
Call Lalas at 909-748-8792 or e-mail jose_lalas@redlands.edu for more information.
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