Why does the achievement gap exist, and what should we do about it? Ogbu and Simons suggested that urban minority parents “hold teachers and schools, rather than their children, responsible for poor academic performance.” Other adults focus on the children and families, commenting on such things as poverty and lack of parental concern. And then there are the students who talk about being underestimated, dismissed, or just bored. The purpose of this study is to examine Black and White teachers’ perceptions of possible causes and potential solutions to the achievement gap. Similarities and differences in their perceptions are highlighted. Our study suggests that before we can take a discussion of solutions to the next level, teachers must first examine and move past their personal assumptions and strive to understand the whole reality.
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