Schools

Local Latino Students Fall Victim to Achievement Gap

The Pacifica School District is working on an initiative as a member of the North County Math Collaborative to increase enrollment and achievement in math.

By Nancy Magee

In response to “Broken Promises,” a report released this week by Innovate Public Schools, the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) expressed a shared sense of urgency and concern regarding the achievement gap currently existing among different student ethnic and socio-economic groups in San Mateo County.  

SMCOE cautioned that context is critical when analyzing data and questioned whether charter schools should be looked upon as the sole silver-bullet solution for achieving system-wide change. 

“Broken Promises” raises concerns about the academic achievement of the region’s Latino students, primarily focusing on participation and proficiency rates of middle school students in algebra and UC/CSU readiness at the high school level.

The report cites that only 22 percent of Latino 8th graders across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties score as proficient or advanced in algebra on state exams. While caution should be employed so that Latino students and their families are not stereotyped, the report does shine light on the critical urgency to ensure the academic needs of Latino students are being met so they graduate from high school ready for college and career. 

San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Anne Campbell said while the report identifies one piece of the puzzle, it leaves many others unaddressed.  Campbell noted that addressing the achievement gap for San Mateo County’s Latino, African American, Pacific Islander, as well as English Learner students and those with learning disabilities, continues to demand creativity and leadership.  

Educational leaders across San Mateo County are deeply committed to addressing the achievement gap and schools throughout San Mateo County are making significant progress.  

“While charter schools can be one effective reform initiative, especially for a single school campus, local school district leaders are hard at work implementing targeted initiatives to bring large scale change for thousands of students across San Mateo County,” Campbell said. “Many of our districts are focusing on increased enrollment and achievement in 8th grade algebra. Thanks to the support of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and an infusion of county and district-level resources, a major push is underway to ensure all students have access to and success in algebra because it represents the gateway to the higher mathematics coursework that will help all students become college and career ready."  

Notable examples include the work of the North County Math Collaborative, including the Jefferson Union, Bayshore, Brisbane, Jefferson Elementary and Pacifica School Districts, who have dramatically increased enrollment of previously under-represented groups in 8th Grade Algebra over the past two years. 

San Mateo County’s unified school districts — South San Francisco, Cabrillo, and La Honda Pescadero — are involved in a similar mathematics initiative focused on providing professional development for teachers so they can more effectively engage all students as the new Common Core Mathematics Standards are implemented. 

Superintendent Campbell noted that SMCOE provides additional support systems to school districts to assist in reducing the achievement gap. SMCOE’s Networks for Success unit provides intensive support to partner districts, and as a result are demonstrating significant progress in improving student achievement and in closing the achievement gap when compared with similar districts throughout the county and state. 

Three of San Mateo County’s high school districts and SMCOE have been selected to partner with Equal Opportunity Schools in a major effort to enroll traditionally under-represented students in rigorous Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework and to provide students with the extra academic support needed to ensure success. Intensive, countywide support for implementation of the Common Core State Standards is targeted to ensuring that all students have access to rigorous and challenging classroom experiences.  Another key area of SMCOE focus is ensuring all the county’s children have access to high quality early learning and education.  

Research clearly demonstrates that quality early learning programs have a significant impactupon later school success. This is especially true for under-represented student populations, such as those noted in “Broken Promises.”  

Superintendent Campbell noted the complexity of these issues and restated the importance of maintaining a focus on countywide collaborative solutions. 

“Charter and non charter schools each have a place in the equation for success; what best serves us all is to identify and replicate those practices that work and to have the courage to change those that don’t,” she said.

Nancy Magee is the Administrator for Board Support and Community Relations for the San Mateo County Office of Education.


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