The Educator's Handbook for Understanding and Closing Achievement Gaps

This book synthesizes the most current research to help headteachers understand the achievement gap and provides strategies to address the external society factors and internal school factors that contribute to this issue.

Distinguished researcher Joseph F. Murphy has gathered and analyzed the most up-to-date research and data to help headteachers understand what the achievement gap is, why it persists, and what teachers can do about it. This comprehensive handbook: examines external factors that contribute to achievement gaps, such as socioeconomic status, family environment, racism, and individual differences; covers internal factors such as instruction, school culture, and school support; and, provides strategies for addressing both internal and external factors to make an impact.

About the Author Part I. Background

1. Bringing Achievement Gaps Into Focus

2. Portraying and Tracking Achievement Gaps Part II. Grinding Up Hope: Explaining the Development of Achievement Gaps Introduction Environment

3. An Introduction

4. Socioeconomic Status

5. Family Environment

6. Community, Racism, and Individual Differences

7. Out-of-School Learning Experiences Schooling

8. Instructional Program

9. School Culture, Structure, and Support
Part III. Opening the Doors of Possibility: Strategies for Closing Achievement Gaps Introduction

10. Focusing on the Social and Economic Environment

11. A Focus on Schooling
References Index