Successful middle schools share common approaches, including strong leadership, high expectations and teacher collaboration.
A new state audit found that minority and economically disadvantaged 8th graders were significantly behind their peers in learning. African-American, Hispanic and Native American 8th graders were at least a year behind their peers in reading and math. Economically disadvantaged students were at least a year behind in math.
“Oregon must improve achievement for all students, especially minority and disadvantaged students who are falling further behind. This audit is a first step to shine a spotlight on the need to improve achievement for all students and close the achievement gap for minority and economically disadvantaged students,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown.
There are significant social and economic consequences for low achievement. Lower achieving students are less likely to graduate from high school. Oregonians without a high school diploma are more likely to be unemployed, receive public assistance, and be incarcerated at some point in their lifetime.
Oregon cannot fully meet its educational goals without addressing the achievement gaps among minority and economically disadvantaged students.The audit looked at Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) scores in math and reading over several years. The audit compared minority and white student scores. It also compared scores of economically disadvantaged students to a group of non-disadvantaged students
Auditors visited nine schools that were successfully closing the gap using practices that fell into five categories:
• Safe and positive school environment
• High expectations and high support
• Teacher collaboration
• Data-informed instruction
• Strong leadership
The audit recommends that the Oregon Department of Education report statewide and school level achievement gap measures that include the state’s progress in closing achievement gaps. It also recommends that ODE continue efforts to identify and disseminate effective practices linked to closing achievement gaps.
The audit can be found at: www.sos.oregon.gov/audits.
