The achievement gap, or the disparity in academic performance between various students, is an important educational issue. Students from low-income and marginalized backgrounds, as well as those with learning disabilities, frequently fall behind their peers. It is feasible to reduce the achievement gap and guarantee that all kids receive the education they deserve with the support of instructors. Here are six practical strategies for assisting teachers in closing the achievement gap in the classroom:
Engage Every Student So None Fall Behind
Engaging every student in the classroom is a great way to ensure that no one falls behind. Use interactive teaching methods like visual instruction, group discussions, and activities to encourage participation and collaboration.
Leverage technology like adaptive learning software to create personalized learning experiences tailored to each student’s needs. If students struggle with a concept, give them more time or different activities to complete so they understand the material better. This also helps promotes learning, closing the achievement gap in the classroom.
Spend More Time on Instruction
As a teacher, ensure every student has a strong foundation in their subjects. You can achieve this by spending more time on instruction, especially for struggling students. This helps each student understand a concept effectively and gives them time to apply it when needed.
A PNAS study shows that additional instructional time increases students’ academic achievement. Moreover, provide additional instructional support through one-to-one tutoring, small group instruction, or after-school programs to enhance learning.
Get to Know Your Students and Their Progress Through the Lesson
Building good relationships with your students can go a long way in closing the achievement gap. Know your students and track their progress throughout the learning sessions. This helps you identify each student’s strengths and areas of weaknesses and adjust your instruction accordingly.
Consider checking in with students before and after a lesson to gauge their understanding and provide extra help when needed. Provide formative assessments to test student knowledge and use progress reports to track their progress. Then give timely feedback to help learners improve their mistakes and succeed academically.
Provide Access to High-Quality Curriculum and Materials
Giving students access to high-quality curriculum and learning materials is essential for closing the achievement gap in the classroom. It’s a great way to ensure that students receive the same instruction and achieve academic success regardless of their backgrounds. As a teacher, you should strive to close the achievement gap by ensuring that each student has access to high-quality materials. These may include:
- Textbooks
- Online resources
- Multimedia tools
Incorporate relevant materials into your instruction to help students feel more engaged and connected to the content. Ensure you distribute the materials equally in the classroom, so students learn simultaneously.
Promote a Growth Mindset Among Students
Promoting a growth mindset in the classroom helps students develop the confidence and resilience they need to succeed academically. It also involves fostering a belief that hard work and commitment help develop intelligence and unique abilities.
Encourage a growth mindset by recognizing and praising effort and perseverance among students. Provide equal opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes and help them set and work towards achievable goals. These measures help increase learning and close the achievement gap.
Collaborate With Families and Communities
Closing the achievement gap is a community effort, so work with families and community organizations to support student learning. Establish strong partnerships with students’ families by regularly communicating with parents and caregivers. Also, consider inviting them to participate in school events and encourage them to support their children’s learning at home.
You can also work with community organizations to provide students with additional learning resources and help close the gap. These may include 1-1 tutoring, personalized mentoring, and enrichment programs.
Boost Student Achievement Today
Closing the achievement gap in the classroom is key to providing students with the necessary education. By engaging students, spending more time on instruction, getting to know students, providing access to high-quality materials, and encouraging collaboration, you help students reach their full potential.
At The Tenney School, we understand the importance of closing the achievement gap in the classroom. We offer one-to-one instruction, tutoring, mentoring, and custom-made education. We aim to ensure that all our students receive the education and personalized attention they deserve to excel. Contact us to learn more about our tutoring services, and let us help your student achieve academic success.