Controlled Choice, Student Assignment Policies, and the "Achievement Gap"
As co-chair of the controlled choice team, I would look to work on and implement the recommendations of this team. Central to our goal is that all schools should be seen as great learning institutions so that parents would feel comfortable no matter which they chose. This would help to alleviate parents’ fears and perceptions of “good schools vs. bad schools”.
No one supports diversity more than I, but I believe that each child receiving a quality education is the most important thing our schools can offer. I don’t believe that these principles are in direct conflict as long as we work diligently to make every school a great school. We should not have to choose between diversity and “good schools”.
The Achievement gap is often looked at as the difference between racial sub groups and so a lot of energy is placed on eliminating the difference between them, when we should focus on everyone reaching proficiency.
The most important thing is having excellent instruction in every classroom and real support for students with special needs to make inclusion in the classroom a reality.
Lastly, research supports the need for summer school to combat summer learning loss and provide an opportunity for accelerated learners to stay on pace. I have and will in the future support summer school that is open to those who need it and to those who want it, every child needs and education and, if we are doing our jobs well, every child will want to learn.
