Studies: “Schools May Actually Compound” Academic Gaps.

In a nearly 1,500-word article, Education Week (10/7, Sparks) reports a study into the National Assessment of Educational Progress in eighth grade math and a separate study on the Program for International Student Assessment for 15-year-olds’ math performance “both find that achievement gaps within schools account for more of the overall achievement disparities among students of different races or economic backgrounds than do gaps between schools.” According to the article, the studies indicate that “For children from racial minorities or impoverished backgrounds, schools may actually compound the disadvantages they may face in learning fundamental math skills.”