Edmund Gordon, director of the Institute for Urban and Minority Education, said the achievement gap is due in part to economic inequality.  Unequal distribution of resources may be part of the reason why blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians fall behind whites and Asians in reading and math.  Gordon is also the Richard March Hoe Professor Emeritus of psychology and education at TC and its former Vice President of Academic Affairs and interim Dean.

Children need to be exposed as early as possible to "rigorous learning opportunities under pleasant provisions," Gordon said.  He added that improving individuals' standards of living would help this cause.  He further suggested high-quality teachers and smaller class sizes are important components needed for closing the gap.

The article, entitled "District Faces Achievement Gap," appeared in the February 14 edition of the Reno-Gazette Journal. 

Published Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005