Schools are mandated under the federal No Child Left Behind Act to have all of their students proficient in reading and math by 2014.
Cara Stillings, a Boston University professor, teaches the course, “Social Context of Education,” which closely examines socioeconomic status and other factors outside school that affect academic achievement.
Does socioeconomic status impact academic performance?
We know there?s not a direct correlation between poverty and academic achievement, but we do know that conditions associated with poverty can lower achievement.
On the whole, there is an achievement gap and it?s based on race, socioeconomic factors and other factors.
What specifically can teachers do to bridge this gap?
We need to start taking a look at who?s teaching in our classrooms and making teaching an attractive profession.
There is a teacher shortage.
We need to start putting our best candidates in the most needy neighborhoods.
In general, what can parents and schools do to address the issue?
We?ve known since the 1960s that what goes on in the home is a lot more important that what goes on in the schools. That?s not to say that schools are not important.
But sometimes it?s difficult for some parents in some economic situations to help their children with homework … or show up to PTA meeting.
Reforms in schools are helping to address the issues like individual tutoring or longer school days. ?
