Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices

Despite years of reform, a persistent achievement gap remains between students in urban schools and elsewhere. Recognizing that goal setting and good intentions cannot close the gap, the authors provide a research-based synthesis of the dynamics that contribute to urban students' academic achievement patterns. An overview of human development in the urban context sets the stage for outlining what needs to be done to improve teaching and learning. Themes the authors develop and explore include historical and present social dynamics, cultural differences, pedagogy, opportunity to learn variables, physical and social environments, and the need to change our perception of at-risk students to students with resiliency.

Urban school reform strategies are being developed by legislators, educators, educational researchers, teacher preparatory institutions, community leaders, and parents. The reform strategies that we adopt must address all pertinent issues if these urban students are to fully contribute to a democratic society.