Pressure Mounting for Schools to Close Achievement Gap or Face Federal Consequences

Oregon educators can find tools to help students that are struggling is at the 3rd annual Closing the Achievement Gap Conference on April 28th-29th.

Many on the inside see No Child Left Behind as another example of the blow-out failures trailing the administration of George W.Bush

(SALEM) - The federal No Child Left Behind Act has changed the stakes for student performance in schools.

Title I schools face sanctions if they do not meet expectations for student academic progress by grade level and disaggregated by racial/ethnic subgroups.

Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo has said "closing the gap is our moral imperative; it is a civil rights issue, regardless of the federal law."

One way Oregon educators can find tools to help students that are struggling is at the 3rd annual Closing the Achievement Gap Conference on April 28-29 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

The conference is designed for educators, administrators, community leaders, and parents.

Topical strands feature effective instruction for all students, family and community involvement, and leadership and systems change strategies.

The conference provides opportunities for educators to participate in workshops focusing on strategies, techniques, and programs that Oregon schools are using to close the achievement gap and increase student success.

Workshops will cover best practices for working with racial/ethnic minorities, students living in poverty and homelessness, students with disabilities, foster children, English language learners and more.

National Presenters Come To Oregon

Education leaders will converge in Oregon to discuss closing the achievement gap practices. The speakers and presenters include: Dr. Robert Barr, a nationally recognized consultant and scholar in the areas of at-risk youth, school improvement, and alternative education; Dr. Donna M. Beegle, a nationally acclaimed speaker, who provided insights and strategies for working poor and low-income students and families; and La Tonya Burrage, the Leadership Training Manager for the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Event information and registration can be found at www.ode.state.or.us/go/closinggap.

Evening Banquet Honors Schools Closing Gap

Participants and community members are also invited to attend the Celebrating Student Success Awards Banquet, which honors 14 Oregon schools making significant headway in closing the achievement gap. Schools receive "Oscar-like" treatment at a gala event including video presentations on each of the top schools, VIP presenters, trophies, and cash grants.