In the San Joaquin Valley, teachers have a difficult challenge educating children because of the region's demographics. Their students often reside in economically depressed neighborhoods, and many come from homes in which English isn't the primary language that's spoken.
While Valley educators understand that student performance generally follows the poverty line, they are committed to strategies that give every child opportunities to learn. Demographics are a factor, but they can't be an excuse.
We were reminded of this commitment to education last week when the state Department of Education recognized 27 Valley elementary schools for their academic achievement.
These are schools that use federal No Child Left Behind funding. To be honored, schools must show that all students are making progress toward proficiency on California's academic standards and that disadvantaged students doubled the achievement targets set for them in two consecutive years."
