Ted Lempert
The achievement gap is a term used so regularly in the education world that its realities can sometimes lose their significance. But according to new research from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the gap is still very much here in California, resulting in sizable disparities between African American and Latino children and their white and Asian peers.
Just a few of the highlights: A 4th grade white student in California is three times more likely to be reading proficient than an African American one; an 8th grade Asian student is nearly four times more likely than a Latino student to be proficient in math. These differences transfer well into adulthood, yielding substantial inequities between young adults in their access to higher education and careers.
Since research shows children’s vocabulary development by the age of 3 can predict how well they perform in 3rd grade, more than anything else these new results spell the urgent need to ensure all children have access to the early learning opportunities research shows help prepare them for academic and lifelong success.
Mark Friedman
The good news is California now has the opportunity to increase support for early learning through the state’s new education finance system, the Local Control Funding Formula, a landmark reform that holds school districts accountable to meeting long-range goals to improve outcomes for all students, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Under the school finance formula, all districts will develop Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs) that push th Districts should make early learning a priority in their local accountability plans | EdSource Today:
More non-profits teaching parents to read with children - by Lillian Mongeau
Uriel Torres, 4, wasn’t sitting quietly as his tutor read him a book about Clifford, that irascible big red dog. He wasn’t sitting at all. He leaned forward out of his high chair, almost laying ... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit the Edsource Today website for full links, other content, and more! ]]