Sep 19
2012

Racial Achievement Gap Frustrates Needham, MA

Posted by: admin on Sep 19, 2012,

Tagged in: Weston , Wellesley , Wayland , United States , Sudbury , SPED , special ed , Newton , Needham , Natick , MCAS , math , Massachusetts , MA , English , Dover , Dedham , controversy , Brookline , Boston

Needham, MA is an affluent upscale town that is dealing with an educational issue similar to other locations across the country.  Based on MCAS testing results over the last 5 – 10 years, there has been a racial achievement gap.  According to the Needham Public Schools Performance Report 2012:

 

“Significant achievement gaps in MCAS Mathematics scores continue between Black, Hispanic, Low Income/Free Lunch, Special Education, and Limited English Proficient subgroups and the Asian and white subgroups.  These gaps also exist in MCAS ELA scores . . .”  

 

For example here are the 2011 MCAS Composite Proficiency Index results.  Note every year since 2007 has had similar results:

 

MCAS Math:

 

Special Education - 69.2

Black/African American  - 69.9

Hispanic -79.6

Asian - 94.9

White  - 92.2

 

MCAS English:

 

Special Education - 79.9

Black/African American - 84.6

Hispanic - 87.6

Asian - 96.0

White - 95.4

 

Why do you believe there is an achievement gap between these different groups?  Please share your thoughts.


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