LEADERSHIP EFFORTS TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERPERFORMING SUBGROUPS (HUS) IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (K-6): HOW ONE SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

Abstract

The achievement gap has been identified as a significant challenge faced by school districts across the nation and has been an item on the national agenda for quite some time. Students that are part of the identified disaggregated groups are not achieving at the same rate as their White and Asian counterparts. While urban schools have had to deal with disparities in student achievement across racial lines for decades, suburban districts are now faced with greater numbers of students who are not demonstrating success and achievement academically. As a result, school districts are challenged to design programs to meet the needs of students that have fallen into the gap; and they must come up with ways to fill the academic gaps that individual students have in order to demonstrate progress. In response to the achievement gap, districts are designing interventions and programs that specifically address the needs of these students. Data driven decision-making is a direct result of the progress that school districts and schools must show for every student and student group. This study identifies how the Ganton School District, a suburban district outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is addressing the achievement gap through district-level and building-level leadership. Efforts evidenced through programs and initiatives are identified that are having an impact on the success and academic achievement of black students that have fallen into the gap in the Ganton School District.