Pennsylvania State Board of Education

1
Pennsylvania State Board of Education
2
WHY
?
3
The Facts
Pennsylvania has one of the largest achievement
gaps in the country.
4
The Facts
An 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.
5
The Facts
A Few Common Gaps Are the Gaps Between

• Girls and boys
• Students above and students below the poverty
  line
• Students with and students without disabilities
• But the most glaring gap, nationally and locally,
  is between races African-Americans, Latinos and
  whites.

6
The Facts

• Pennsylvania DOES have an achievement gap.
• Pennsylvania is not alone.
• Other states have achievement gaps.
• Other states are meeting with success in
  statewide efforts to close the gaps.
• Pennsylvania does have schools that have made
  significant strides in closing their achievement
  gaps.

7
A Significant Gap As Illustrated by the
Following

• Gap between poor and non-poor in reading
• 14 of poor and 44 of non-poor students perform
  at the proficient and advanced levels. A gap of
  30 percentage points
• Gap between BLACK, LATINO and WHITE students in
  reading
• 7 of Black, 10 of Latino, and 40 of White
  students perform at the proficient and advanced
  levels. A gap of 33 and 30 percentage points
  respectively.
• Comparable gaps exist in mathematics and other
  grade levels.
• Source National Assessment of Education Progress

8
Consequences for the Commonwealth

• Certain populations of PA students will continue
  to be unprepared for college and/or the
  workforce.
• Directly impacts the Commonwealths economic
  competitiveness, quality of life.
• NCLB also requires that all students perform at
  least at the proficient level.

9
While 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
10
Research Shows the Gaps CAN Be Closed
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.
11
Our Belief

• 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

12
Our Goals

• Close the achievement gap among subgroups
• Bring every student to proficient or above in
  reading and math
• Successful prevention/intervention via proven
  practice

13
Research 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
14
HOW WILL WE HELP CLOSE THE GAP IN PA?
SCHOOLS
15
SCHOOLS
Pennsylvania State Board of Education
16
PAGE 1 SCHOOLS

• Are being created in collaboration with
  Intermediate Units
• Are governed by a planning and oversight
  committee
• Use researched strategies for success in closing
  the achievement gap.

17
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.

18
Council of Basic Education
Business/ Education Partnership
Intermediate Units
Planning Oversight Committee
School Community Team
External Resources
Community Support
19
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.

20
PAGE 1 SCHOOLS

• Analyze and realign curriculum as needed for
  success.
• Set high standards for all students, backed by
  substantial support.
• Encourage parent involvement

21
16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS
6 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 6 High
Schools
22
16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS
6 Urban 3 Rural 7 Suburban
23
16 PAGE 1 SCHOOLS
Pennsylvania State Board of Education
24
Whats Next
Community-teams from each of the PAGE1 schools
will meet at a forum in Harrisburg on June 22.
25
Pennsylvania State Board of Education