1. Pennsylvania State Board of Education

2. The Facts A n achievement gap exists when groups of students with relatively equal ability fail to achieve at the same levels in school – in fact, one group often far exceeds the achievement level of the other.

3. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Students above and students below the poverty line White, African-American and Latino students Students with Limited English Language Proficiency and English proficient students Students with and students without disabilities The Facts A Few Common Gaps Are the Gaps Between:

4. Pennsylvania State Board of Education The Facts P ennsylvania has some of the largest achievement gaps in the country.

5. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Black-White Gap NAEP Grade 4 Reading Source: EdWatch Online, http://www.edtrust.org

6. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Poor-Non Poor Gap NAEP Grade 4 Reading Source: EdWatch Online, http://www.edtrust.org

7. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 2004 PSSA Grade 11 Reading Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us

8. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 2004 PSSA Grade 11 Math Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us

9. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 2004 PSSA Grade 11 Reading by Race/Ethnicity Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us

10. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 2004 PSSA Grade 11 Math by Race/Ethnicity Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us

11. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Pennsylvania High School Graduation Rates (2001) Source: Jay Greene and Greg Forster. Public High School Graduation and College Going Readiness Rates in the United States. The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, September 2003.

12. Pennsylvania State Board of Education The Bottom Line? By the end of 11 th grade: Pennsylvania’s African American and Latino students are two to three times as likely to be performing below the basic level compared to the state’s White students. There are similar gaps for low-income students, only about half of whom are reaching even the basic level in reading and math. The annual dropout rates and their one-year changes by racial/ethnic category were: –4.0% for Blacks –5.2% for Latinos –1.3% for Whites Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, http://www.pde.state.pa.us

13. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Consequences for the Commonwealth Certain populations of PA students will continue to be unprepared for college and/or the workforce. Directly impacts the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness, quality of life. NCLB also requires that all students perform at least at the proficient level.

14. W hile there is no quick or easy fix for the achievement gap, Pennsylvania has an obligation to meet the challenge and raise achievement of all students. Pennsylvania State Board of Education

15. Data shows that there are schools with high percentages of low-income and/or minority children that have closed the achievement gap among groups of students. Research Shows the Gaps CAN Be Closed

16. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 3 things students need from adults: BELIEF in their abilities to master a rigorous curriculum. TIME tailored to specific student needs UNDERSTANDING that not all students learn the same way and at the same rate Our Belief

17. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Close the achievement gap among subgroups Bring every student to proficient or above in reading and math Successful prevention/intervention – via proven practice Our Goals

18. R esearch shows that the very techniques used to help bring success to struggling learners improve teaching practices, the learning environment and results for all students. Pennsylvania State Board of Education

19. HOW WILL WE HELP CLOSE THE GAP IN PA? SCHOOLS

20. SCHOOLS High Schools Elementary Schools Middle schools AVTS Pennsylvania State Board of Education

21. 16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS 6 Urban 3 Rural 7 Suburban

22. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS 6 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 3 Jr./Sr. High Schools 3 High Schools

23. Pennsylvania State Board of Education 16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS Pennsylvania State Board of Education

24. PAGE 1 SCHOOLS Are being created in collaboration with Intermediate Units Are governed by a planning and oversight committee Use proven strategies for success in closing the achievement gap.

25. Pennsylvania State Board of Education PAGE 1 SCHOOLS PAGE 1 Schools not only had to meet certain criteria, but they had to be willing to participate. We are grateful to the schools that have willingly and courageously volunteered to participate in this initiative.

26. Pennsylvania State Board of Education PAGE 1 SCHOOLS will… Establish success stories in Pennsylvania Commit a community leadership team to each school. Put successful, research-proven practices to work. Promote artful and strategic use of our schools best teachers and time.

27. Pennsylvania State Board of Education PAGE 1 SCHOOLS Align curriculum with state standards & anchors. Use frequent benchmark assessments to identify & provide remediation. Encourage parent involvement

28. Pennsylvania State Board of Education PAGE 1 schools visited to “frontier schools” in other statesPAGE 1 schools visited to “frontier schools” in other states Training in school improvement planning & data analysisTraining in school improvement planning & data analysis Leadership training for PAGE 1 school principalsLeadership training for PAGE 1 school principals Community involvement trainingCommunity involvement training Activities

29. Pennsylvania State Board of Education What’s Next Implement school improvement plansImplement school improvement plans Address individual school professional development needsAddress individual school professional development needs Continue efforts through 2007Continue efforts through 2007 Apply lessons learnedApply lessons learned

30. Pennsylvania State Board of Education Questions? Jim Buckheit State Board of Education (717) 787-3787 Jbuckheit@state.pa.us