The term “achievement gap” refers to the disparities in academic achievement between different groups of students. Across the United States, gaps in academic achievement persist between ethnic groups, socioeconomic classes, and genders. These achievement gaps are one of the most pressing education-policy challenges that schools currently face, and directly affect the future of our nation.

How did these gaps originate, and how can we bridge them? Our four panelists discussed the history, causes, and possible solutions for the racial achievement gap in California K-12 schools, with an emphasis on literacy and the language arts.

Featured panelists:

* Carrie Donovan – Director of BUILD (Berkeley United in Literacy Development), UC Berkeley
* Andrew Dubin – Professor, Graduate College of Education, San Francisco State University
* Emma Fuentes – Professor, School of Education, University of San Francisco
* Stephanie Sisk-Hilton – Professor, Graduate College of Education, San Francisco State University

This program was co-sponsored by Writer-Coach Connection Berkeley and the University Library's Free Speech Movement Cafe Educational Programs Committee.