Researchers: Carol Corbett BurrisKevin Welner
University Affiliation: Rockville Centre NY High School; University of Colorado, Boulder
Email: burriscarol@gmail.com; welner@colorado.edu
Research Question:
What if detracking happened? Describe how a diverse suburban district in NY narrowed the gap by offering its high-curriculum to all students.
Published: 1
Journal Name or Institutional Affiliation: Phi Delta Kappan
Journal Entry: April
Year: 2005
Findings:
- By dismantling tracking and providing the high-track curriculum to all, we can succeed in closing the achievement gap on important measures of learning.
- Membership in a cohort subsequent to the detracking of middle school math was a significant contribution to earning a Regents diploma.
- Achievement follows from opportunities- opportunities that tracking denies. When all students were taught the high- track curriculum, achievement rose for all groups of students- majority, minority, special education , low SES.
- Closing the “curriculum gap” is an effective way to close the “achievement gap”.