Teachers enrolled in this course will...

Know

• what the achievement gap is and which students “fall” into it.
• all of the most important data and statistics regarding disparities in achievement in the United States.
• what causes the achievement gap.

Understand

• how current practices may either intentionally or inadvertently isolate minority students and turn them away from education.
• how effective teaching practices and positive school/district policy can affect student achievement.
• how systemic discrimination results from hidden inequities in opportunity.

and Be Able To

• identify current practices within his or her district, school, and/or classroom that contribute to or help close the achievement gap.
• handle / discuss ideas in closing the achievement gap with both honesty and sensitivity.
• use student perception to guide change in their own classrooms and schools.
• immediately implement a variety of teaching tools and strategies that can help close the achievement gap in their classrooms.