LA Times : Mind the (achievement) gap

Here's a tasty link to a series of op-ed articles from the LA Times that is worth checking out:

Mind the (achievement) gap - Los Angeles Times

What's causing academic performance by Black and Latino students to lag the rest of California? Can, and should, something be done about it. All this week Russlyn Ali, executive director of Education Trust-West, will debate Richard Rothstein, author of Class and Schools, on the achievement gap.

So far the series comprises three articles:

• Mind the (achievement) gap
• No Child to the rescue?
• What’s causing the gap?

This series follows on the heels of Superintendent Jack O'Connell's "Achievement Gap Summit" which, frankly, did not generate as much noteworth reporting as I had hoped. I think it was admirable of O'Connell to bring so many notable educators together to address the issue head-on. I'm just not so sure that the meeting generated any tangible results of galvanized anyone into action. But don't take my word for it. Check out Michael Krasny's KQED 11/14 Forum show from that summit: Live from Sacramento - Achievement Gap featuring an interview with Superintendent O'Connell.