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Tuesday, August 22, 2006 | |
CLOSING ILLINOIS? ACHIEVEMENT GAP report by Glen McGee
By nsbyrer @ 3:46 PM :: 1770 Views ::  :: Advocacy |  |
This report, authored by Mr. Glen McGee, former Superintendent of Schools for the Sate of Illinois, provides arguments that support the growth of non-school tutor/mentor programs.
The McGee report suggests that funding is not the only issue that must be addressed, if education quality is to improve, while it is a major issue. On page 14 of the report one reads this passage: Richard Rothstein?s (2001) inquiry took an entirely different perspective in looking beyond school walls. Though he understands that school improvement is critically important, he contends that it alone will not make a difference. ?Clearly, if the achievement gap is to be narrowed further, and perhaps be closed, investments in both schools and social institutions are needed ? Policy is crippled if it proceeds on the basis that only school improvement is needed to narrow the achievement gap. School improvement is unlikely to succeed if not complemented by improvements in other, equally important educational institutions: families, communities and the social and economic environment.? He contends that the achievement gap could be closed if public policy focused on strengthening families and communities, attending to health and nutrition needs and improving family housing and income. Supporting this view is Dorothy Strickland (2001) who contends, ?Children who attend school and live in communities in which low socioeconomic status is widespread are more likely to be at risk for failure in reading.? She continues, citing the work of Snow, Burns and Griffin (1998), ?Families that lack sufficient resources to provide adequate housing, health care, and nutrition for their children are less likely to focus on their children?s educational needs.?The report from Glen McGee can be found at: http://www.mayersonacademy.org/cte/ClosingAchieveGap.asp
Note: This report has much to offer. The challenge is increasing the number of people interested in closing the gap and getting them to find and read such reports. The Links section of this web site includes links to many reports like this. The Discussion portal provides a place where people can meet and discuss this information, then determine ways to act to change the level of non-school support available to youth and families. |
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In the National Media...
Dallas Morning News
, USA
- Feb 16, 2008
- Feb 16, 2008
She raised thousands of dollars to support tutoring and mentoring of poor, struggling students. Eventually, she started another nonprofit, the I Am That I ...
Southtown Star
, USA
- Feb 17, 2008
- Feb 17, 2008
"Being a tutor was interesting because I was able to help a student go from a D to a B in one of his classes," Ramirez said. ...
Earthtimes
, UK
- Feb 12, 2008
- Feb 12, 2008
CLE professional staff members work closely with students to provide structured tutoring sessions, independent living skills training and social outings. ...
Chicago Tribune
- Feb 10, 2008
- Feb 10, 2008
Olcer learned how to prepare raw food at Cousin's restaurant in Chicago, tutored by the Turkish chef Mehmet Ak. On a trip to India, she brought greens that ...
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