John E. Chubb and Tom Loveless, eds.
Brookings Institution Press
2002
Arguably the most intractable problem of American education is the white-minority achievement gap. But solutions may be in sight. Bridging the Achievement Gap shows that this gap can be bridged. The authors describe schools and school reforms that are boosting the achievement of minority students to levels near those of whites. One strategy that has shown results, for example, say Alan Krueger and Diane Whitmore, is smaller classes for K-3 students. Another promising reform is vouchers. In a chapter by Paul Peterson and William Howell there is strong evidence presented that "black students show a clear benefit from attending private school as compared with black students attending public school." Comprehensive reform models, such as Modern Red School House and Direct Instruction, also offer hope for closing the achievement gap. Success for All creators Robert Slavin and Nancy Madden describe how reading achievement has been boosted for black students in several settings by the use of that program. Other promising strategies include focusing on core academic skills, enrolling students in more challenging courses, administering annual achievement tests and using the results to inform instruction, engaging parents in their children's learning, and injecting competition into schooling. This book is optimistic and an important resource for those struggling to close the achievement gap. To order a copy, surf to http://www.brookings.edu/press/books/bridgingtheachievementgap.htm.
