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Significant Squeeze On Achievement Gap

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

Few problems in public education are as vexing as the achievement gap between white and minority students, so it's worth celebrating when two local schools show the gap can be erased.

Miles Elementary in north Tampa and Temple Terrace Elementary are among 12 Florida schools recently recognized by the Florida Department of Education for impressively narrowing the achievement gap.

At Temple Terrace, teachers improved outcomes by teaching math in small groups, a technique used to boost reading scores.

In 2006, 79 percent of its white third-graders scored proficient or better on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test math test, but just 54 percent of Hispanic third-graders did. Last spring, 88 percent of white third-graders scored proficient, as did 85 percent of their Hispanic classmates - a significant accomplishment.

At Miles Elementary last year, just 18 percent of black third-graders scored a three or better on the FCAT math test, compared to 48 percent of white students. By 2007, 40 percent of the black students scored as proficient. Their white classmates improved to 52 percent.

Miles Principal Deborah Coyle said success required good discipline and orderly classrooms so that children are not distracted from learning. Teachers also banded together to analyze each student's math skills and draw on each other's creative teaching techniques. Students put in extra time in after-school tutoring and a Saturday academy.

The common thread in these success stories is clear: Children were given the time, attention and structured instruction needed to overcome the challenges. Their teachers and school leaders went the extra mile, and their investment paid off.

Congratulations, Miles and Temple Terrace, for keeping your eye on the prize - making a difference in children's lives.

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