The Academic Achievement Gap between Ethnicities in the United States - Essay Example

The Academic Achievement Gap between Ethnicities in the United States1. Introduction This present essay main revolves around the issue of academic achievement gap between ethnicities in the United States. First, the essay will state as to why there is such a pervasive achievement gap between ethnicities in the U.S. Secondly the essay will discuss two things that could be done to improve academic achievement in schools.2. Reasons for the achievement gap between ethnicities in the United States In the writings by (Phillips et al. 28-32), achievement gap is described as the persistent difference in terms of performance in educational measures such as standardized or common examinations, dropout rates, rate of college enrollment, and completion rates.

(Steele and James, 34) stated that the differences exist between different groups of students mainly categorized by their gender, ethnicity, and socio economic status. (Noguera and Wing, 102-128) stated that one of the reasons for the achievement gap between ethnicities in the US is factors that pre-exists in schools and factors that exist within the community and homes of the student. (Noguera, 256-267) stated that cultural and environmental factors also contribute to the achievement gap, for example, most African Americans parents do not readily provide financial and emotional support to their children since they cannot personally speak about the additional advantages of having excellent academic records.

Additionally, (Noguera, 256-267) lamented that the achievement gap exists because minority students are usually less motivated. Thirdly, the achievement gap exists because the common examinations and procedures seemingly appear to be culturally inclined to favor students with middle class experience and knowledge.3. Promoting academic achievement in schools for children (Williams, 78-91) suggested that in order to promote high academic achievement for all the students regardless of their background and ethnicity, it is necessary for the teacher to set high expectations for all students and engage in early monitoring for each individual student.

Work CitedNoguera, Pedro and Wing, Jean. Unfinished Business: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap in Our Schools. New Jersey: Jossey-Bass. 2008 PrintNoguera, Pedro. The Trouble With Black Boys and Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education. New Jersey: Jossey-Bass. 2009 PrintPhillips, Meredith. Crouse, James. and Ralph, John. “Does the Black-White Test Score Gap Widen after Children Enter School?” The Black-White Test Score Gap. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institute.

1998 PrintSteele, Christine. and Aronson, James. “Stereotype Threat and the Test Performance of Academically Successful African Americans” The Black-White Test Score Gap. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institute. 1998 Print.Williams, Belinda. Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices. U.S Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. 2004 Print