Achievement Gap In Education

For years many considered education the great equalizer. Many believe that overtime education would ensure that all children of any class at a shot at success. But the great equalizer's ability to equalize is dwindling and financial fortune is taking it place.

The "achievement gap" in education is the disparity in academic performance between two groups of students. One of the largest indicators is the income gap between the top 10 percent and everyone one below. Children from low-income families are less likely to climb the socioeconomic ladder. According to Sean F. Reardon, a sociology professor at Stanford University, "family income is now nearly as strong as parental education in predicting children's achievement"(Reardon).

In a New York Times article by Jason DeParle, he tells the story of three young women who dreamed of going to college to "get off the island". The island is their lives in Galveston, TX with dead-end jobs. All three did well in high school and showed the ability to do the same in college but none succeeded. "Not one of them has a four-year degree"(NYT). Two returned with massive debt and crushed dreams. Lack of money and family issues impeded the women's ability to succeed. And their social class did not afford them a safety net like their counter-parts. Students from wealthy families don't have to worry about rent, bills, or the needs of their family. "Everyone knows life is unfair- being low income puts you at a disadvantage"(NYT).

Wealthy families invest more money in their children education.

They also have access to better tutors and enrichment activities. This gives wealthy students and advantage over students from lower-income earning families. "High-income families increased the amount they spend on enrichment activities for their children by 150 percent, while the spending of low-income families grew by 57 percent over the same time

period"(NYT).

Social class also contributes to academics success. A study by sociologists Elizabeth Armstrong of the University of Michigan and Laura Hamilton of the University of California Merced tracked 53 young women through their college experience. They showed the party culture in most university dorms was detrimental to the less privileged. The culture caused most to leave or lower their degree. Those who stayed struggled academically and financially. While the affluent succeeded with little effort.

The college degree can be a ticket out of poverty. It's no secret that a high-paying job requires a college education. But the sticker price of college has increased over the past few years. Increased costs cause students to borrow more and add their debt. Even if they graduate, less privileged students have massive debt.

The "achievement gap" is an academic arms race. And factors like social class and money directly affect the outcome. Most minority students that do receive their degree also receive crippling debt from student loans. America is still the land of opportunity but only for those who are willing to pay for it.