Understanding the Achievement Gap: How to Improve Educational Outcomes for African American Students 

Background

Education is an important aspect of American life, predicting not only later school outcomes but also career, economic stability, health, and work options (Sanders-Phillips et al. 2009). School attainment amongst African American remains steady, yet when matched for social class, there is a significant gap in  educational achievement between African Americans and other racial groups. On average, African American children score lower grades compared to White, Asian, and Hispanic students. During adolescence, many African Americans drop out of school. While others progress through school, African Americans are less often enrolled in honors classes in high school or accepted into competitive four year colleges (Stanford CEPA, n.d.; Valant & Newark 2017). The achievement gap is not only a problem for the students themselves and the African American community but for the entire country. Research has shown that "the persistence of the educational achievement gap imposes on the United States the economic equivalent of a national recession" (McKinsey & Company 2009, 6).  It is important to note that past and present economic and social conditions are at the root of the achievement gap.  African Americans have been exposed to generations of legal and illegal measures to deny them basic rights. Slavery, Jim Crow, health care, voting and housing inequalities have damaged the African American community (Gilliam 2014; Gershenson & Dee 2017). It is also important to note that not all African Americans are poor or failing in school, but they are disproportionately constrained by race and class. Only by understanding these factors can teachers develop and implement strategies' needed to turn school failure to success, by increasing opportunities for its students.

Initiative 

To help mitigate the low achievement gap of African American adolescents, it is important to put focus on early childhood educators. Educators such as teachers and administrators need preparation and ongoing professional development that helps them better understand African American children.  African American children can achieve the same academic greatness in school when teachers use effective engagement methods. Teachers and administrators will need to better understand cultural differences between them and their students. Teachers often times do not understand the reasons for a child's behavior, and in the case of children of color, they are likely to lower their expectations. Informal networks of families and neighbors help provide the support that African American children needs.  We have already established that a vocal point of Africanism was togetherness, so I believe that the most effective way to raise awareness to this issue is to have black families more involved. A survey and Co-Facilitation of families and students allows an internalization of potential that could help embrace cultural differences. I believe that reflecting on previous literature and expanding from them can help with finding the solution. 

Implementation

Evaluation 

Overall, acknowledging the problem of the achievement gap amongst African American students is a critical step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system. By taking action to address this issue, educators can help to ensure that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Keeping record of responses from students, parents, and educators plays a big factor in this. The purpose of this leadership idea was to acknowledge a problem, expand on it, and act on it. A survey will be administered to students, parents and educators at the beginning of the year to understand where everyone stands. The best way to decide if this project worked in its designated purpose, is to see if African American students test scores are higher compared to previous years, if the students are more engaged within the classroom, and if the parents are more involved with the school and their children's education. To obtain this information a  survey will also be administrated  towards the end of an academic school year. The survey at the end of the year is a reflection given to everyone. The primary indicator of success would be the improvement of education and grades amongst African American students.