Ferguson, Ronald F., & Mehta, Jal
Researchers: Jal MehtaRonald F. Ferguson
University Affiliation: Harvard University
Email: ronald_ferguson@Harvard.Edu
Research Question:
Reviews previous literature to investigate why the achievement gap continues despite desegregation efforts.
Published: 1
Journal Name or Institutional Affiliation: National Academies Press
Journal Entry: Achieving High Educational Standards for All, pp. 183-208
Year: 2011
Findings:
- Post-segregation education policies include forced integration , Title I, Head Start, and the basic skills movement.
- Title I has demonstrated very limited positive impacts on achievement gaps.
- Head Start has demonstrated somewhat positive impacts on achievement gaps, although a “fade out†occurs whereby the positive effect washes out over time.
- An emphasis on basic skills has not been shown to help diminish the achievement gap.
- Early research on the effects of desegregation overall showed little impact, while more recent research has shown significant increases in Black students’ reading achievement, as well as positive non-academic outcomes.
- Concludes that it is not exposure to whites, per se, that creates these benefits for Black students, but their access to resources that are more prevalent in higher-proportion white schools.
- Ability grouping and tracking are not categorically bad for certain groups of students.
- Class size does seem to make a difference in terms of achievement, especially for minority students.