Achievement Gap In Education

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For years many considered education the great equalizer. Many believe that overtime education would ensure that all children of any class at a shot at success. But the great equalizer's ability to equalize is dwindling and financial fortune is taking it place.

The "achievement gap" in education is the disparity in academic performance between two groups of students. One of the largest indicators is the income gap between the top 10 percent and everyone one below. Children from low-income families are less likely to climb the socioeconomic ladder. According to Sean F. Reardon, a sociology professor at Stanford University, "family income is now nearly as strong as parental education in predicting children's achievement"(Reardon).

In a New York Times article by Jason DeParle, he tells the story of three young women who dreamed of going to college to "get off the island". The island is their lives in Galveston, TX with dead-end jobs. All three did well in high school and showed the ability to do the same in college but none succeeded. "Not one of them has a four-year degree"(NYT). Two returned with massive debt and crushed dreams. Lack of money and family issues impeded the women's ability to succeed. And their social class did not afford them a safety net like their counter-parts. Students from wealthy families don't have to worry about rent, bills, or the needs of their family. "Everyone knows life is unfair- being low income puts you at a disadvantage"(NYT). …show more content…

They also have access to better tutors and enrichment activities. This gives wealthy students and advantage over students from lower-income earning families. "High-income families increased the amount they spend on enrichment activities for their children by 150 percent, while the spending of low-income families grew by 57 percent over the same time

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