New Achievement Gap Analysis Suggests Four Ways to Gain a More Comprehensive Picture of Equity

As state leaders put the finishing touches on applications for Race to the Top (RTT) funding, a new Ed Trust analysis of achievement gaps shows some states may be better positioned for higher scores on their grant applications. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has made it clear that RTT grants will reward states not only for bold reforms proposed for the future but also for past progress in narrowing gaps in student achievement.
     According to “Gauging the Gaps: A Deeper Look at Student Achievement,” educators and policymakers must examine achievement-gap data from at least four different perspectives:

• Have gaps in performance between student groups decreased over time?
• Have all groups of students gained over time?
• What is the magnitude of the gap between groups?
• How does each group of students currently perform relative to their counterparts in other schools, districts, or states?

     Using state NAEP data from all four of these perspectives, the report found that Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Vermont are top states. But it also found that wide gaps could spell failure for applications from Arizona, California, Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island. Details about the report’s finding are available in our Press Room.