Socioeconomic Impact on Student Scores

If you look at any listing of broad student scores you will note the socioeconomic impact on those scores. In general students from systems that are more challenged by social and economic issues score lower than students from wealthier systems.

It's not difficult for anyone to conjure up the reasons for this divide, reasons that include multiple factors such as access to technology/wifi, adult academic support, basic needs, adequate health care, and more.

As many wise educators have proposed, the best way to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots is to provide conditions for excellence in every school so that every child has access to the resources and the environment needed to succeed. I believe this is possible beginning with adequate, safe school environments, qualified educators who spend most of their teaching time on task with students, good technology, and other optimal resources such as books, learning experiences, and hands-on materials.

When we look at scores, we need to ask ourselves the following questions:

• Do we have what we need to move all students forward?
• Do our programs support optimal growth and development for every child?
• Do school roles and structures support optimal student achievement?

Then we have to work together to advocate for what we need to better our work for every child. Onward.