Why Does The Gap Persist?

Why Does the Gap Persist

Barton 's Central Message

Barton 's central method states that even though schools are becoming less segregated and equal in the access to a similar standard education for all , there still isn 't equality in academic achievement amongst white and minority students . Even though minority children are provided the same education as white children , the achievement gap is steadily increasing between the two groups . This achievement gap amongst minority students , reflects inequalities among 14 factors that correlate to their schooling , early life , and home circumstances . Throughout

br this article , Barton analyzes these factors , goes over the research and statistics connected to them , and offers solutions that will help reduce the gap

The Development Environment

I didn 't know that low birthweights could lead to delayed or impaired cognitive and physical development . What was even more alarming was the fact that black infants were twice as much at risk than white infants Although the article didn 't really give any statistics as to why this occurs , I would have to take a guess this is due to the fact that minorities don 't have as good of healthcare as whites do

Until the beginning of this school year , I didn 't think that lead poisoning was such a big concern . However , once I noticed that four out of fourteen of my students on my caseload were poisoned by lead , I realized how much of a concern it really is . As I started to research the symptoms and the effects that it has on the brain , I was amazed by how much damage this poisoning does and how it hinders a student 's ability to process and remember information . Since mostly all of the minorities live in urban areas , it is obvious to see that they are most effected because the majority of these urban homes were built before 1946 . As the white baby boomers populated (in the 1950 's era , they drastically expanded america 's suburban areas with the new construction of homes . Therefore , it is obvious to see that it is not as big of an issue facing their communities

In to combat malnourishment in children , more programs should be created to aid families in obtaining nutritious food as well as an abundance of it . In my opinion , we should also teach and emphasize the importance of nutrition and dietary education . I feel that if parents knew the benefits of a well balanced nutritious meal , how to make them and have access to affordable fruits and vegetables , malnutrition would no longer be a problem that our country is facing

Home Learning Conditions

It is definitely evident that when children are read to at an earlier age , they have an advanced opportunity to expand their vocabulary as well as build their own literacy skills . I am currently trying my best to incorporate more oral reading in my students ' curriculum as well as inform the parents of the importance of early reading with all of their children...