Are Lawmakers Avoiding the Achievement Gap?

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Conservative Utah lawmakers are ignoring the state's achievement gap, according to a new study commissioned by the Centro de la Familia de Utah. Researchers at the U of U's Education Policy Center compiled data showing a variety of gaps in achievement and access to education for students of color.

State Senator Howard Stephenson says many lawmakers acknowledge minority and low-income students struggle. But, he says the gap appears wider than it is because so many white students are performing so well in the state.

However, data from the National Association of Education Progress actually shows Utah's white students trailing national proficiency rates by several percent. The new report shows 40 percent of white fourth graders are proficient in math and reading compared to 15 percent of Latino students in the same grade.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW