ACHIEVEMENT GAP CONCERNS:

The Role of the Independent School

National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA), April 9, 2010,

Baltimore, MD

Lynn Gadsden, Chair, Board of Trustees, Community Partnership School

Eric Jones, Head of School, Community Partnership School

David Kasievich, Director of Development, Community Partnership School

Defining Achievement Gap

An achievement gap refers to the observed disparity on a number of educational measures between the performance of groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, ability, and socioeconomic status. Achievement gaps can be observed on a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point averages, dropout rates, and college enrollment and completion rates. While most of the data presented in this presentation comes from the United States, similar or different gaps exist for these, and other groups in other nations.

1). Between the United States and other nations;

2). Between black and Latino students and white

students;

3). Between students of different income levels; and

4). Between similar students schooled in different

systems or regions

Four Distinct Achievement Gaps

Achievement Gap Consequences

• Imposes the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession

• Children experience school as unachievable and uninteresting

• High school dropout rates increase significantly • College attendance and college completion rates

decrease significantly• Lower earnings• An increase in short and long-term health

problems• Higher rates of incarceration

Trends to Address the GapEducational Reform

Providing early childhood education – especially for those at risk Lengthening the time in school – day or year – including summer school Establishing community schools as hubs of support for families from prenatal care through

school Establishing PK-3 or PK-5 schools Strengthening principals as school leaders Removing ineffective teachers and retaining teachers that meet performance measures Strengthening after school programs including extra-curricular activities Reducing class sizes, especially for early grades Using data-driven instruction Educating parents about child development Increasing pay, setting higher qualifications and providing incentive payments for teachers Emphasizing early literacy, including expanded use of volunteers Recruiting adult mentors for students Utilizing paraprofessionals for home visits Graduate services (tracking) Restructuring teacher education De-tracking schools– students more likely to have equally qualified teachers, expectations,

curriculum, and resources. Using smaller schools – either standing alone or created within larger schools

(Best practices: NativityMiguel Network, Cristo Rey Network of Schools, Schools that Can Network)

HOW DID WE GET THERE?our founding story

Why was CPS created?• At first, a way to increase diversity for

GA • A quality education and a way to

break the cycle of homelessness & poverty for Project H.O.M.E. • Focus on early childhood education• Access to an independent & private educational model • An early partnership was formed • Strong and persistent leadership• A financial challenge from the GA

Board

A non-tuition-driven independent education

How it’s been sustained and our plan for the future• Serving the economically poor and marginalized has

driven sustainability• Transformative success & long term graduate

support• Innovative “product” and fresh perspective• Quality leadership• Board strength• Partnerships• Strong fundraising strategies and indicators• Performance-driven culture

“Those who build great organizations make sure they have the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the key

positions before they figure out where to drive the bus. They always think

‘who’ and then about what.”

-Jim Collins, Good to Great and the Social Sectors

Sustaining the Financial Support

An active & engaged Board of Trustees (time, treasure & talent)

Prevention of donor and partnership fatigue Creation of new partnerships (university,

corporate, independent schools, communitygroups)

Regular sharing of results (empirical & anecdotal)

Independent Schools: Well-Positioned to Address the

Achievement Gap!

• Autonomy (hiring, curriculum development, etc.)

• Focus on the whole child• Intentionally college preparatory• Growing commitment to equity in action & justice

The Role of the Independent School

First steps… Understanding the achievement gap Addressing the negative stereotypes that hinder

student performance Moving beyond community service to service learning Encouraging small cohorts of parents, teachers, and

students to engage in discussion Incorporating the hard facts about the achievement

gap into classroom learning Identifying the greatest gaps in your area or region Partnering with local and national movements Preparing students for life and their responsibility and

role in society

We all have a role to play…

Educators must hold themselves accountable to improve school environment, engage in cultural dialogues.

Parents/families must also be held accountable and more involved in the educational process.

Government must pay closer attention to social and psychological implications of governing policies.

Neighborhoods/Communities must help to develop cognitive learning environments in community centers/daycares.

All concerned citizens must engage in school, community and multicultural activities.

Interested citizens, educators, leaders of community organizations, members of varying social class, must continue to discuss and work towards change and diversity.

All Schools must be a safe place where students want to come and take part in a maturing learning environment

Closing Achievement GAPS Diane T. Russell

Other examples of success Waterside School (K-5) – Stamford, CT Sonoma Academy (9-12) – Santa Rosa,

CA Children’s Storefront (Pre-K-8) – Harlem,

NY Wingspan Partnerships – Helping

independent schools move from “community service to public purpose”

Q & A

www.communitypartnershipschool.org