Most of the press about the achievement gap in CT puts the focus on schools as the problem while research shows that it really starts as a gap in parenting before kids get to school. Many children living in poverty (coincidentally, many minority children) arrive at kindergarten way behind many of their peers. They grew up in a household lacking verbal stimulation, reading and proper nutrition. Many were born out of wedlock and live with a single mother. Research shows that many children living with only the mother are more likely to live in poverty and perform well below many of their peers when they get to school.
In the May episode of Manchester Review, Jack Peak, host, explores non school and school related factors causing the achievement gap.
As Manchester’s SMARTR commission explores what to do about our elementary schools, Peak recommends a serious look at building Community Schools (Neal Pierce, JI, Feb 29, 2012) to help close the gap. “Using public schools as hubs, community schools bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities. - there are hundreds of them across the country. Community Schools serve as a focal point not only for classroom education, but as a resource coordination point for additional services provided by multiple community agencies.”
Nathan Hale already has some characteristics of a community school.
Peak hopes the SMARTR commission members seriously consider the issue when they make recommendations for our schools. Nathan Hale could be rebuilt as a pilot “community school.”
“The Achevement Gap: It’s Not The Teacher’s Fault” can be seen on Cox channel 15 at 9 PM, Mondays in May. Viewer and reader comments are welcome at manchesterreview@ gmail.com.
