First Advisor

Ben Anderson-Nathe

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Child and Family Studies and University Honors

Department

Social Work

Subjects

Academic achievement -- Oregon -- Portland -- Case studies, Minority high school students -- United States, Educational equalization

DOI

10.15760/honors.101

Abstract

Closing the achievement gap is one of the most talked about issues within the United States education system. The achievement gap refers to disproportionality in rates of achievement between white students and students of color. The question should not be how one closes the achievement gap but what factors contribute to the achievement gap and how these factors can be addressed. This paper looks at the achievement gap between white and black students on a national level, focusing on research addressing different factors pertaining to the gap. Five main factors contribute to the achievement gap between white and black students: neighborhood segregation, socioeconomic status, parent influence, school discipline and standardized testing. This thesis considers the role of each factor as it pertains to Portland Public School District’s racial achievement gap as evidenced by high school graduation rates, test scores, and dropout rates.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12169

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