Gap reason 5: Educational perspective

Gap reason 5: Educational perspective

Anglo-based educational curriculum

I think that the main reason there is an achievement gap is the long standing tradition of Anglos setting the agenda and actually writing the textbooks. In some cases this has produced skewed facts put forward to support ethnocentric points of view. Little to no concern has been given until recently on the concerns and needs of African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Who is to say that one persons idea (usually Anglo) of how education should be conducted, focused, and experienced is right for every person in this diverse country? I say nay!! We need to get more minority people to set the agenda, and write the books and then we will begin to see some leveling of the playing field. So in short, the information has been controlled by Anglos and this has produced undesirable effects on the psyche of minority populations.—Rhiannan Bates, February 25, 2008, DCI 4322-60

I also agree with Rhiannan that education is very much based on how Anglos do things. I think it is unfortunate that people (Anglos) can be so insensitive to the needs of those who come to this country. They put too much stress on English, saying that it should be the official language and all. —Eldon Clark, February 20, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Low expectations for minorities

This entire system of praising average work instead of encouraging excellent work is very prevalent here at UTB. Students are lazy, disruptive, and rude sometimes in class and are kind of just passed through the system just to simply move them along, and they get bachelor degrees! It’s very upsetting because I'll be a my new class with someone else that I had for a previous class that didn't even try to do a good job, and they passed when I worked my behind off to get my grade. Compared to universities up north, we are lagging behind so much because they expect more from their students and kick out those who aren't up to the challenge. Don't get me wrong, I love UTB. I've had the absolute best professors (some are terrible mind you) and I wouldn't want to graduate from anywhere else this coming December. —Juanita C. Torres, March 3, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Then, once a gap as been mentioned, I think the expectations for the group drop. It is like the video (A Class Divided) we saw in class about the brown-eyed or blue-eyed people. Once we here something about us, whether positive or negative, we tend to believe it.—Eldon Clark, February 20, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Poorer Educational Service

I believe there is a learning gap for Hispanics because schools are not equipped to provide for the needs of Hispanics students. I have studied in Mexico and trust me when I came over here the only barrier for me was the language. Everything else was primitive to Mexican school standards. Literature, arithmetic, science and even respect for our teachers was valued highly over there.—Homer, March 8, 2008, DCI 4322-60

I do feel that I wasn’t getting the education I need to be prepared for college. I can compare myself with my fiancé, his Hispanic but educated in Northern states. I would compare my past experiences of learning in elementary to his elementary education and he was doing thing at a faster pace and was ahead of what we learned.—Kassi, February 25, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

To read more on Closing the Achievement Gap:

Greetings from the editor
Closing the Achievement Gap: Introduction
Gap reason 1: Historical perspective
Gap reason 2: Cultural perspective
Gap reason 3: Economical perspective
Gap reason 4: Linguistic perspective
Gap reason 5: Educational perspective
Gap solution 1: Individual
Gap solution 2: Parental support
Gap solution 3: Teachers