Closing the Opportunity & Achievement Gap in K-5 Schools

Students of color in general and African American students in particular, have persistently ranked among Minnesota’s lowest-performing subgroup - a problem that has spanned more than three decades. We cannot and will not wait another 30 years to reverse this trend. At The Equity Advantage (TEA), we believe it’s not only possible to achieve system-wide change to close the opportunity and achievement gap, but critical. While this gap is not unique to Minnesota,?we have an unprecedented amount of skill and will, working together to achieve more equitable opportunities and outcomes. Our success will define our cities and State now and, in the years to come.

NEED & CURRENT REALITY: African American students in Minnesota have long faced barriers to academic opportunity and success, including high rates of poverty as well as systemic bias leading to high rates of disproportionate discipline, low expectations of academic ability, under-resourced schools and supports, and a lack of trust and collaboration between schools and African American parents and community.?Because of these and other systemic barriers and challenges, African American students are more likely to be below grade level, more likely to be chronically absent from school and more likely to feel disconnected from school, ultimately leading to lower graduation rates than other subgroups.

So, what are we proposing?

Start with K-5 Reading

• Data Analysis: Use available data from MDE to pinpoint schools and districts with the highest reading disparities
• Data Analysis:?Refine data analysis further to identify the children reading below grade level

Develop a reading program with the following parameters:

1. Partner with identified schools to use their facility
2. Implement a weekly Saturday morning reading lesson (9am – Noon)
3. Leverage school infrastructure for operations and execution
4. Start with one pilot school and then scale – develop a network of schools across MN
5. Use volunteers and experienced teachers to execute the program

We want to partner with your school

For more information on partnerships contact us at: