Comments on: Will wonders never cease http://www.7-west.org/2006/08/31/will-wonders-never-cease/ The Virginia General Assembly from the perspective of 7 West. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:25:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2 By: Kris Amundson http://www.7-west.org/2006/08/31/will-wonders-never-cease/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Sat, 02 Sep 2006 21:19:35 +0000 http://www.7-west.org/2006/08/31/will-wonders-never-cease/#comment-90 The achievement gap is real, and frankly it is one reason I support disaggregating data, which allowed us to see some painful truths like those you mention. (Although there is evidence that there are factors beyond the school’s control that also contribute to some of the achievement gap, I firmly believe that low expectations for minority kids also play a role.)

Nonetheless, that is NOT the fight Virginia is having with the Feds, however. We are specifically in a fight about kids with disabilities and kids who are still learning English.

]]> By: skeptical brotha http://www.7-west.org/2006/08/31/will-wonders-never-cease/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Thu, 31 Aug 2006 22:47:20 +0000 http://www.7-west.org/2006/08/31/will-wonders-never-cease/#comment-89 Delegate Amundson,

Quickly glancing at the 2005 NAEP data for Virginia reveals an overall level of acceptable achievement, which is above the national average. However, when the data is disaggregated and racial groups are examined, one finds a significant achievement gap between racial minorities and whites. Moreover, one finds little improvement over the course of NCLB. What is the reason for this and what are the strictures in place in NCLB that prevent the Commonwealth from ameliorating the problem? Half of all black fourth graders are below basic reading proficiency. Test scores in Math for 8th graders show black students 31 points behind their white counterparts which is similar to where kids were in 1990. Hispanic students are similarly behind. Is this the best the Commonwealth can do?

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