Journal #10

“Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Creating Equitable Learning Opportunities,” by Don Hall.

The article talks about how students disengage when they come to school and that most dramatic disconnect occurs in schools with the highest percent of at risk students. These are the students who can least afford to miss out on meaningful learning opportunities. The article states that technology is actually accelerating the rate at which the divide is growing. The author says that if a district is already taking measures to actively address the divide in a positive way, technology will expedite that progress, but the reverse is also true as well. The author also explains that the divide represents students’ equity in learning opportunity and productive participation in society and feels that equity in learning are contributed by English Language Learner population growth and the fact that districts range from schools with 80% free and reduced lunch to students with million dollar homes. He also talks about strategies that can be implemented to counter or at least lessen this divide, such as an equipment refresh/replacement cycle program and a computer grant for students to have computers in their home. The goal is to extend the learning experience from the classroom to the home of these families to them these students a chance to compete with the more affluent students. There were several other strategies that the author suggested would help to lessen this divide, but says that what it comes down to is economics. He states that it is possible to create a more equitable learning opportunity for all students, however it is up to us as educators to make it happen…bottom line…it is well worth it!

Do I feel that the community should get involved in this issue? Absolutely. This is something that everyone should care about. I think it is really sad that education is based on economics. Every child has a right to an education and that education should be equal across the board as far as I am concerned. However, I know that this is not reality, but that does not mean that I feel it is fair.

Whose responsibility is it to ensure that every child receives an education that promotes success? In my opinion it is everyone’s responsibility. We are talking about the future adults of our society. I do not feel it is fair for a child to be penalized simply because their family makes less money than their neighbor. It is the school districts responsibility, the teacher’s responsibility, the parent’s responsibility, the community’s responsibility, the lawmaker’s responsibility as well as the students. But people have to care about the student and their education before the student will care about their education. It seems to be a big snowball effect. If no one cares or does anything, why would this child feel that they should even try (or why should they care). I’m sure it is not this way for every underprivileged student, but I can see where that attitude could come from.