Want to Fix the Achievement Gap? Fix the Expectations Gap

Via Joanna Jacobs and HechingerEd, a new study from AIR finds that states set widely differing academic expectations for their students. What is expected of an 8th grader in one state, for example, may be the expectation for a 4th grader in a different state. Of course, states can meet the reporting requirements of NCLB by setting the bar however high (or low) they please, with unsurprising results:

“By setting low performance standards, states commit the educational equivalent of short selling. Rather than betting on student success, the educators sell the student short by lowering standards,” said Phillips. “What the education system gets out of this practice is the illusion of high rates of proficiency, which have a palliative effect on public opinion and meet the requirements of federal reporting. What the student gets out of it is a dumbed-down education, with little opportunity to learn college-ready and career-ready skills.”

 There is a lot of talk, esp. from the right, about local control. But what research--and common sense--shows is that we need to hold every student to the same high standard. This is why national science standards are necessary. No common standards, no common assessment.

Once we agree on what students should know and be able to do, we can begin to design quality curricula to get them there.

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Also covered on the Inside School Research blog, which I highly recommend.