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Resources from the NEA on Closing the Achievement Gap


Effective Practices in Closing Achievement Gaps - The NEA offers a wide range of programs, products and resources, to engage and support state affiliates and members in closing the achievement gaps.  The question most often heard when educators confront the reality of the achievement gaps in their school is, "What can I do in my classroom?"  NEA resources provide support for answering this question by:

offering researched-based suggestions for what educators can do now to create a learning environment in which diverse students can learn;
providing training and resources that challenge educators to meet accountability demands while still offering quality instruction to those students who need the most help;
developing training and materials to help educators meet the needs of English language learners; and
providing connections to additional resources that spark even more ideas for how to be successful with all students.  Many resources are available to educators from NEA and its organizational partners.



C.A.R.E. Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap - The C.A.R.E. Guide provides a multi-themed approach to closing the achievement gaps, focusing on Culture, Abilities, Resilience, and Effort (C.A.R.E.)  Click on www.nea.org/home/16858.htm.


NEA Students Affected by Achievement Gaps - The term "achievement gap" is often defined as the difference between the test scores of minority and/or low-income students and the test scores of their white and Asian peers.  But, achievement gaps in test scores affect many different groups.  Some groups may trail at particular points, for example, boys in the early years and girls in high school Math and Science.  Differences between the scores of students with different backgrounds (ethnic, racial, gender, disability, and income) are evident on large-scale standardized tests.  Test score gaps often lend to longer-term gaps, including high school and college completion and the types of jobs student secure as adults.  Go to www.nea.org/home/20380.htm.

Focus on What Works: What Educators Need to Know to Move from Issues to Action - Ethnic-minority schoolchildren will soon be the majority; girls already outnumber boys in many of the nation's classrooms; and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuals, Transgendered Persons (GLBT) youth are coming out in ever increasing numbers.  These young people are America's students - so why do many feel like outsiders at their own school dance?

Below are the 2006 - 2007 Focus On publications on six cultural groups.  Click on:



Research, Tools, & Talking Points on Achievement Gaps - Go to www.nea.org/home/14874.htm.

More information and resources can be found at www.nea.org/home/AchievementGaps.html.