Addressing the Achievement Gap

Richard Rothstein

Richard Rothstein, an author and researcher, discussed the misconceptions surrounding the achievement gap and the social factors that propagate it during yesterday's Urban Viewpoint Session. "Saying that we can make progress in narrowing the achievement gap is very different from saying that we can close it," he said. "And the national goal is closing the gap."

Rothstein said that no matter how good instruction is, or how high educators' expectations are, until social factors such as health care, housing policies, income distribution, and employment policies are resolved, the achievement gap will persist. He implored the crowd of principals to be spokespeople for social change: "You, who are leaders in your communities, must begin to speak out more forcefully about the reason achievement is low."

For more information on Rothstein's views, check out the March 2005 edition of Principal Leadership magazine.