The achievement gap refers to the low students’ performance caused by various factors, such as socioeconomic status, the unfriendly environment in the classroom or at home, and lack of motivation. Notably, achievement gaps set critical challenges for teachers that in-school and out-of-school solutions should resolve. The fundamental key to a student’s success and future career is the teacher. Newell (2011) states that teachers should concentrate on installing responsibility and moral principles in students to close the achievement gap. Significantly, a teacher may apply various strategies to address the achievement gap challenge and students’ needs, such as enhancing cultural competence and outreaching to students’ families, among others (Hanover Research, 2017).
I completely agree that the strategy of enhanced cultural competence through evaluating and understanding students’ culture, abilities, resilience, and aspirations will help to become closer to students. In addition, outreaching to students’ families may help create a family-friendly atmosphere, engage parents in school events, and provide instructional support. Hence, it is crucial to remember that teachers should coordinate among parents and students to enhance communication. Thus, I would involve students with achievement gaps and their families in professional development programs to serve as a mentor and explain the importance of education, goals, and mutual support. Updating parents on students’ success and increasing parental involvement in the educational process will help to reduce the achievement gap.
Moreover, I will consider students’ individual needs to personalize learning, listen to their worries, and provide as much support and guidance as possible. Constant tracking of students’ progress will enable me to set achievable goals and encourage students’ self-reflection on their learning process and mistakes. Importantly, my strategies will include developing a challenging curriculum and transparent standards for my students. This efficient combination will help in intensifying the school coursework and providing the same high standards for everyone.
Another great strategy to boost students’ achievement is to keep the expectations high regardless of socioeconomic status or cultural differences. According to Hanover Research (2017, p. 4), high expectations “increase students’ sense of self-efficacy and motivation, which improves achievement, aspirations, and behavior.” It is essential for me, as a teacher, to set high but realistic goals for students, set short-term goals, and motivate students to achieve them. I will follow the strict framework of established standards, but at the same time, will not put pressure on students. My task is to interest them by captivating materials, assignments, games and creating good learning conditions. I will try to develop cultural awareness and mutual understanding in my classroom by introducing culturally relevant texts.
To conclude, every student can achieve success if the teacher implements the right approach, creates trustful relationships, and motivate students during the learning process. I sincerely believe that the primary reason for low student achievement is poor teaching with low expectations, no interest in identifying cultural biases, ignorance, and willingness to blame other factors such as poverty, family problems, or drugs. Nevertheless, a good teacher solves students’ issues by educating, mentoring, and prioritizing the closure of the achievement gap.
References
Hanover Research. (2017). School-based strategies for narrowing the achievement gap. Hanover Research. Web.
Newell, T. (2011). Who’s responsible for improving student achievement? Huffpost. Web.