Posts tagged Achievement Gap
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The new chair of the DC Council’s education committee promises a change in style and substance
At-Large Councilmember David Grosso plans to adopt a less aggressive style than David Catania, his predecessor as education committee chair. Grosso says his main focus will be getting disadvantaged kids the services they need to do well in school. Back in December of 2012, David Catania was chomping at the bit to become chair of the education committee. “I’m so… Keep reading…
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DC test scores have improved for both low-income and more affluent students
Standardized test scores in DC have risen significantly in the seven years since schools came under mayoral control, according to a recent study, and it’s not just because of an increase in affluent students. But while math scores have gone up steadily, literacy scores have largely stalled after an early jump. While DC officials have touted increases in test scores as… Keep reading…
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Some area schools spend a lot less on poor kids than others
Schools in the Washington region spend wildly different amounts on students per pupil, and districts vary a lot in how much extra they spend on low-income students. While more spending doesn’t guarantee better quality, the discrepancies raise basic questions of fairness. Keep reading…
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We have good data about DC’s low graduation rate, but little idea how to increase it
Given current trends, 40% of DC’s 9th-graders won’t graduate from high school on time. A new report gives us a lot of data about what lies behind that figure. Now the question is how policy-makers can use that data to improve the situation. The report, released last week by a public-private partnership called Raise DC, reveals that a student’s characteristics… Keep reading…
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One struggling reader plus another may equal a boost in reading skills for both
A DC nonprofit called Reach Incorporated hires struggling high school readers to tutor struggling elementary school readers. It may sound counterintuitive, but both groups seem to benefit. Fewer than 20% of DC 8th-graders read at a proficient level, according to national test results last year. The proportion of proficient 4th-grade readers is only slightly better. Where… Keep reading…
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The promise, and the limits, of tutoring
Tutoring can be an effective way to bring a struggling reader up to grade level. But, as I discovered when I volunteered with one highly regarded tutoring program, it isn’t always easy. And it may not be the whole solution to a problem that is at the root of the achievement gap. If a child isn’t reading on grade level by 3rd grade, chances are she’ll never catch up. Keep reading…
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Six reasons not to put too much weight on DC’s standardized test results
Every year DC announces, with much fanfare, the annual results of the standardized test that all DC public school students take, the DC CAS. Last year the scores were declared historic because they rose by 4 points. This year’s scores barely budged, but there was still a big press event and much discussion of whether they show education reform has been working in DC. But how reliable… Keep reading…
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DCPS and charters are sparring over joint planning, but the real question is how to preserve neighborhood schools
DCPS wants the charter sector to engage in joint planning that would limit the number and location of charter schools. Charter advocates oppose the idea. Ultimately, the disagreement is not about planning, but about what kind of school system the District should have. Seven years ago, the charter sector served only about 20% of DC’s students. That figure is now up to… Keep reading…
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Morning Bell: Troubling, heartening trends for DC children
Gains, losses for capital’s kids: A new foundation report shows mixed trends for DC youth: a twofold increase in 4th-grade reading proficiency and a surge in preschool attendance in recent years, but a rising percentage of children living in high-poverty neighborhoods. And 77% of 4th-graders still aren’t proficient in reading. (Annie E. Casey Foundation, Post)… Keep reading…
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Morning Bell: Improving outcomes for African-American boys
A new DCPS position: A professor of urban education is joining the school system to spearhead innovation and research, with a focus on raising the performance of African-American male students. (Post) Keep reading…