Elementary education effectiveness in Mississippi Essay Example for Free

Elementary education effectiveness in Mississippi EssayMississippi consists of four-hundred and eighty-six thousand people living in poverty ten pct of children belong to families that are not able to meet their needs (2005). Recent statistics specify that those living in poverty are fifty-one percent African American and approximately forty-seven percent Caucasian (2005). Research has shown that the socioeconomic location of students influence the degree of success they will experience. (Donahue Grigg, 2003) Mississippi has varying degrees of reading proficiency among school districts.In the 2003-2004 school year, six districts, consisting of one unsubdivided school, atomic number 23 middle schools and one high school, were identified as in need for improvement, based on the reading and math proficiency of its students. For the purpose of this write up, except schools reflecting a lack in reading proficiency will be discussed. The U. S. Secretary of Education, Margaret S pelling announced in a November 2005 press release, Eighty percent of the fastest-growing jobs require at least some post secondary education.Yet far too many students are leaving high school extempore for college. Improved student acquirement can provide students better preparation for college, thus closing the achievement gap. Low socioeconomic schools, although up(a), are still canful the majority of middle-to-upper class schools in America (Donahue Grigg, 2003). There are several factors to consider when looking at closing the achievement gap found in low socioeconomic schools.One factor is that young, low-income and minority children are more likely to start school without having gained important school readiness skills, much(prenominal) as recognizing letters and counting (2003). As Donahue and Griggs report showed, when students start school already behind otherwises, they are likely to continue such patterns if not address early on. Existing studies demonstrate the pro blems researchers are having addressing literacy issues early on in a students academic career.Researches are trying to find appropriate strategies to combat the achievement gap with many variables which will be discussed further in detail, in the following study. Purpose of the analyze The following is a detailed investigation into mathematical explanations of varying degrees of reading achievement found in Mississippi and what can be done to maintain a higher over both proficiency in reading among Mississippi students, while satisfying the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.Many schools corroborate chosen to implement a school-wide woo to closing the achievement gap however, when dealing with schools consisting primarily of low-income students, there are other factors to consider when choosing a strategy. The proposed study will focus on improving reading skills in high-poverty schools found in Mississippi by comparing different techniques widely used and cre ating a more targeted strategy for low-income students. When deciding on an appropriate strategy for improving reading comprehension there are a few factors one must consider.The following questions will outline the factors to be researched in this study. Research Questions 1. What impact does social economic status have on the achievement gaps found in the State of Mississippi? 2. What are the alter factors found in Mississippi schools that are demonstrating low reading scores among economically disadvantaged students? 3. Are there high-poverty schools in Mississippi which demonstrate cocksure improvements in reading scores? What are the strategies used? 4. How does implementing Theory into Practice (TIP) encourage absolute student achievement in disadvantaged schools?Hypothesis To affectively closemouthed low socioeconomic achievement gaps in reading, strong emphasis on establishing proficient reading ability should be made in elementary school. character of the Study The rese arch conducted in this study will be an investigation of existing lit regarding techniques used in improving reading skills, exemplary schools demonstrating such techniques and finally, a suggested strategy to use when applying research to low socioeconomic schools with low reading proficiency found in Mississippi school districts.Significance of the Study The significance of this study is that by identifying factors contributing to the achievement gap found in low socioeconomic school districts, as considerably as analyse into existing programs that have had a positive influence on reading performance scores in other high-poverty schools is that, school administrators and policy makers will have a better basis in which to improve upon existing programs and interventions that would be more financially attainable than head start new programs.The high cost of starting new programs such as creating new assessment strategies, providing more staff and researchers as well as other cost ly planning and implementing variables, often times are not practical for low-economic schools. While children of today are growing up in a world where data are being revealed at an alarming rate and knowledge is simply a click away, reading plays an increasingly crucial role in society (Topping Paul, 1999).The ability to read is not only fundamental for understanding and mastery of every school subject students will encounter, but literacy also plays a critical and crucial role in students social and economic lives (Snow, Bums, Griffin, 1998). As a result, no other factor will have a greater impact on the success of students in Mississippi than their ability to read.With such an emphasis placed on the importance of reading achievement, educational leaders must clearly articulate the expectation that all students can become successful readers, while providing the most effective strategies and opportunities for students to succeed in reading and adopt lifelong reading practices. ( Okpala, et al. , 2001) Definitions of Terms Action aggroup for Partnership- This partnership is also known as a School Improvement Team or a School Council.Although the ATP members oversee the schools partnership program, other teachers, parents, students, administrators, and community members also may lead family and community involvement activities (ATP website). Adequate Yearly Progress- AYP requires that schools hold the same high standards for all their students regardless of racial or ethnic background, socioeconomic status and English proficiencyCore Academic Subjects- These subjects include English, language arts and reading, arts, civics, government and history, mathematics and science, foreign languages, as well as, economics and geography. Elementary School- a nonprofit institution which includes, public school, day or residential school and elementary charter schools which State law mandated elementary education.Family Literacy Services The services provided to partici pants on a voluntary basis that foster a positive change in families. These changes include, providing families with interactive activities between parents and child concerning literacy, instruction parents to take an active role in their childrens education, article of belief self-sufficiency by providing parental literacy training, and providing education to children which is age-appropriate and prepares them for school and life experiences.Highly Qualified (in beginning to public elementary or secondary school teacher) A highly qualified teacher will possess a State certification for teaching or holds a license to teach in a particular state due to passing the State exam and is employed in a teaching position after meeting all required testing, training and educational requirements satisfactory to the State, district and school regulations. Mentoring- A responsible elder who provides positive leadership and guidance to a child as a positive role model in that childs life. A m entor cathexis is to help a child to one day become a responsible adult.Minority- a group of students which do not demonstrate the majoritys characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, ethnic background or other key characteristics. Other Staff- staff found within an institution such as personnel, guidance counselors, and administration and teachers aides. Limitations In her 2005 press release Secretary Spelling said, we all hear a lot of stories about why schools are missing Adequate Yearly Progress, but we dont hear much about how thousands of other schools are making it and closing the achievement gap.This study is limited by location its main concentration being primarily on Mississippi schools, programs and outcomes. The primary research method is investigating existing literature, as such there is substantial literature on the failures of many schools trying to improve student achievement however there is very little literature depicting success. One other limitation to c onsider is that this study focuses on reading proficiency however to get the most accurate depiction of a schools success is to consider all core academic subjects.