Education Law Center
Reports about Achievement and Opportunity Gaps in Pennsylvania

Achievement Gap Report

"Making Progress, But Miles to Go: Achievement Gaps in Pennsylvania Public Schools"

To read the whole report, click on the first title. To read a section, click on the name for that section.

ELC Report -- Achievement Gaps in Pennsylvania Public Schools (63 Pages)

Executive Summary of Both Reports (3 Pages)

Internet Links from Both Reports (3 Pages)

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Summary (3 pages)

  • What is this report about?
  • How can you use it?
  • Summary of data.

Chapter 2 - What is the Achievement Gap? Why is it Important? (15 pages)

  • Defining the "Achievement Gap".
  • Success stories in school districts.
  • Frequently-asked questions.
  • How does student diversity affect the gap?
  • Understanding the PSSA.
  • Do PSSA scores tell us everything?
Chapter 3 -Analysis of Achievement Gap Data. How are Pennsylvania Schools and Students Doing? (15 pages)

  • The statewide gap.
  • Changes over time.
  • Comparing grade levels and districts.
  • Achievement gap for students of color, in poverty, with disabilities, and learning the English language.

Chapter 4 - Taking Action: Lessons Learned About Closing the Gaps. (13 pages)

Appendices A through D

  • Definitions and Index
  • Resources for more information
  • State/federal laws about achievement gaps

Appendices E and F

  • Districts closing gaps in multiple groups.
  • District rankings for achievement gaps.

Profiles of School Districts Successfully Closing the Achievement Gaps

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunity Gap Report

"Shortchanging Our Children: Opportunity Gaps in Pennsylvania Public Schools"

To read the whole report, click on the first title. To read a section, click on the name for that section.

ELC Report -- Opportunity Gaps in Pennsylvania Public Schools (72 Pages)

Executive Summary of Both Reports (3 Pages)

Internet Links from Both Reports (3 Pages)

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Summary (3 pages)

Chapter 2 - What are Opportunity Gaps and Why are They Important? (27 pages)

  • Why focus on school spending?
  • How are Pennsylvania schools funded?
  • Tales of two districts.
  • How significant are opportunity gaps in PA?
    --- Ranges, clusters and averages.
    --- The Successful Schools Approach.
  • How did we get here?
    --- Some history and recent developments.
Chapter 3 - Taking Action (11 pages)

  • Gathering information and formulating findings and concerns
  • Making your voice heard on local decisions
  • Influencing the General Assembly

Appendix 1: How much is enough? (4 pages)

Appendix 2: Questions and answers on the Successful Schools Budget (3 pages)

Appendix 3: Data Table. (23 pages)

 

Action Plan and Toolkit

ACTION PLAN AND TOOLKIT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCACY (18 pages)

A step-by-step strategy to close achievement and opportunity gaps in your community. Use the whole toolkit (click above) or click on an individual tool:

Investigation Tools

Advocacy Tools