The achievement gap refers to observed and consistent distinction of educational measures between the performance of groups in schools, involving groups of students defined by social class, gender, and race. The achievement gap in Ohio is becoming a major concern. Stephen Dyer said, “In reading, we had the nation’s ninth highest gap between our highest and lowest performing schools. In math, we had the nation’s second-highest gap, and in graduation rates we had the nation’s fourth largest gap” (Dyer, S. (2015). As one can see, the achievement gap in Ohio is a huge problem that needs to be fixed. To fix this problem, an early childhood services policy should be put in place to reduce the achievement gap. Early Childhood Services would be targeting
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Early childhood services acknowledge that some students start off behind their peers. If a student who came from a low income family started school already behind and did not get the help the needed – a wider and enriching curriculum would only make it harder for the student. The student would continue to be behind. Early childhood services start from birth in getting a child prepared for their education. A quote from Diane Ravitch says, “By itself, early childhood education cannot completely close the gaps caused by inequality of wealth and inequality of opportunity, but researchers have concluded that it is more successful in narrowing the gap than most other interventions” (Ravitch, D. (2013). This quote from Diane Ravitch exemplifies that early childhood services would be a better policy to implement. The policy of having access to these early childhood services would not only help the student, but would also help the parents and guardians. By focusing on the early years and having early intervention, it sets the student up for success. To have a wider and enriching curriculum, one would need to focus on early childhood education first. A quote from the National Education Associate (NAE) President said, “Young children deserve high-quality early childhood programs to enrich their social, intellectual and physical development, and build a foundation for school success. Raising the level of education and training for early childhood educators is an important step to ensure that every young child enters school ready and able to learn”. This shows evidence that early intervention and intensive early childhood services set up children for academic and life success. Children deserve to have a head start and parents deserve to have their children obtaining a good
Early childhood services acknowledge that some students start off behind their peers. If a student who came from a low income family started school already behind and did not get the help the needed – a wider and enriching curriculum would only make it harder for the student. The student would continue to be behind. Early childhood services start from birth in getting a child prepared for their education. A quote from Diane Ravitch says, “By itself, early childhood education cannot completely close the gaps caused by inequality of wealth and inequality of opportunity, but researchers have concluded that it is more successful in narrowing the gap than most other interventions” (Ravitch, D. (2013). This quote from Diane Ravitch exemplifies that early childhood services would be a better policy to implement. The policy of having access to these early childhood services would not only help the student, but would also help the parents and guardians. By focusing on the early years and having early intervention, it sets the student up for success. To have a wider and enriching curriculum, one would need to focus on early childhood education first. A quote from the National Education Associate (NAE) President said, “Young children deserve high-quality early childhood programs to enrich their social, intellectual and physical development, and build a foundation for school success. Raising the level of education and training for early childhood educators is an important step to ensure that every young child enters school ready and able to learn”. This shows evidence that early intervention and intensive early childhood services set up children for academic and life success. Children deserve to have a head start and parents deserve to have their children obtaining a good