Closing the Achievement Gap:

A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices 2nd

EditionBook Report Presentation

by Julie LedfordTexas Wesleyan University

EDU 8306

Main Points Presented by AuthorMinority students’ cultural valuesLegislation aligned with reformWorldviews of students importantTailored staff training to issuesBridging the gap requires

investigationBiases in assessment measuresParadigm shift necessary

Primary Author: Belinda WilliamsCognitive psychologist

30 + years experience

Degree from Rutgers

Coauthored books

Priority school initiative

Cultural environment

Achievement patterns

Origins of the Achievement Gap

Individual differences vs. Groups

Census Bureau statistics

Low-performing learners

Current View New visionDeprivedFailing/ Low achieversUnmotivatedAt Risk

Culturally differentPotential abilitiesMotivationResilience

Origins and Connections

Closing the Achievement Gap

Resources

Curriculum and

Instruction

Support

Skilled Teachers

High Expectatio

ns

Pedagogy for TeachersSelf KnowledgeCommitmentBond with

StudentsMeaningfulnessRelevant MaterialParent SupportBelief in EquityVoice in Decisions

Educator RelationshipsCaring ClimateIndividualizedActive ListeningShows RespectPositive RegardNonjudgmentalFlexibilityPersonalizedPatient & Kind

Teachers & High ExpectationsChallenging

racismConvey ResilienceSupport FamiliesConnect LearningOptimistic/HopefulClear ExpectationsRecognize InterestCultural AssestsUtilizes Creativity

Turnaround SchoolsSupport TeachersConsistencyShared MissionEarly

InterventionMentoringDiversityPartnershipsAfter-School

Programs

ReferencesWilliams, B. (2003). Closing the

Achievement Gap. Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria, Virginia USA.