GAPS

News Briefs

PITTSBURG, PENN. Sept 11, 2007 - In Pittsburg, a two-year study which included test scores in 199 math teachers' classrooms, found average test scores varied as much as 59 percent from the top teacher's classroom to the bottom, regardless of the students' race. The study was conducted by Robert P. Strauss, a professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

"These ... are not random effects," Strauss said. "In Pittsburgh, the teachers who are successful are successful with black kids and white kids."

He suggests more research is needed.

BOSTON, MASS. August 21, 2007 - The Boston Globe editorializes on the need to close the "teacher gap."

Last year, only 46 percent of black applicants for teaching licenses in Massachusetts passed the writing portion of the state teaching exam; among Hispanic applicants, the pass rate was 48 percent. By comparison, 77 percent of white applicants passed.

Though not as wide, a considerable gap also appeared on the reading section. These are discouraging statistics -- not only for applicants but for the public school administrators who are eager to diversify and strengthen their faculties with minority educators.

AND,

The state Department of Education already takes sensible measures to exclude language and content on the teacher licensing exam that might place minorities at a disadvantage.

TT - What is sensible about excluding language and content on a licensing exam?