This article discusses data collected that shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing achievement gaps across income levels and between white students and students of black and Hispanic heritage. Also, the article discusses how the current situation is leading to more students of color dropping out and the long term effects on these student's long-term economic well-being and on the US economy as a whole.
Dorn, E., Hancock, B., Sarakatsannis, J., Viruleg, E. 2020. Covid-19 and Student Learning in the United States: The Hurt Could Last a Lifetime. San Francisco, California: McKinsey & Company
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/covid-19-and-student-learning-in-the-united-states-the-hurt-could-last-a-lifetime#
This three-part report demonstrates that a large subgroup of students with disabilities are not getting their needs met; describes the school experiences of these students in relation to exclusionary discipline, referral to law enforcement, and chronic absenteeism; and indicates how the pandemic is exacerbating pre-existing inequitable conditions. The report concludes with recommendations for federal policymakers.
Losen, D. J., Martinez, P., & Shin, G.H.R. 2021. Disabling Inequity: The Urgent Need for Race-Conscious Resource Remedies. The Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the Civil Rights Project, UCLA: Los Angeles, CA. https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/special-education/disabling-inequity-the-urgent-need-for-race-conscious-resource-remedies
This article examines how a focus on the achievement gap has overshadowed ways in which school systems constrain student achievement through trends of racial disproportionality in areas such as school discipline, special education assignment, and juvenile justice; the article considers these racial disparities as issues of institutionalized racism.
Annamma, Subini, Morrison, Deb, and Jackson, Darrell. 2014. “Disproportionality Fills in the Gaps: Connections Between Achievement, Discipline and Special Education in the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” Berkeley Review of Education 5 (1).
This article examines how a focus on the achievement gap has overshadowed ways in which school systems constrain student achievement through trends of racial disproportionality in areas such as school discipline, special education assignment, and juvenile justice; the article considers these racial disparities as issues of institutionalized racism.
Annamma, Subini, Morrison, Deb, and Jackson, Darrell. 2014. “Disproportionality Fills in the Gaps: Connections Between Achievement, Discipline and Special Education in the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” Berkeley Review of Education 5 (1).
Black people experience much higher rates of prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms compared to all other racial/ethnic groups in California and compared to national rates.These disparities stem from past and present racism and discrimination in the health care system and their day-to-day experiences that results in poor quality of care for Black communities.
Children Now, (2021).
This article discusses the fact that this is the first time the California Department of Education has broken down absenteeism rates by reasons for students missing school. The data shows that black students have a much higher rate of unexcused absences from school than their white peers. The data covers the school years 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Jones, C., Willis, D.J. 2020. New California absenteeism data shows big discrepancies between white, Black students. Oakland, California: EdSourcehttps://edsource.org/2020/new-california-absenteeism-data-shows-big-discrepancies-between-white-black-students/645485
This article examines how perceptions of race have influenced the effectiveness of response to intervention (RTI) in addressing achievement disparities, past and present.
Willis, Arlette Ingram. (2019). “Race, Response to Intervention, and Reading Research.” Journal of Literacy Research 51 (4): 394–419.
This journal contains six articles by a variety of authors that focus on equity and unconscious bias. Topics include examining systems and self for racial equity, equity warriors, racial equity through curricular reform, undoing disproportionate discipline, confronting racism together, and championing equity and diversity.
American Association of School Administrators. 2021. “Racial Equity: Examining Systems and Self for Unconscious Bias”. School Administrator, 3(78).
https://www.pageturnpro.com/AASA/98756-March-2021/sdefault.html#page/1
The data in this report prepared by the Los Angeles Unified School District provides evidence that 100% of the secondary students in LAUSD minimally accessed Schoology, the district's primary online course management system at least once during the first nine weeks of school closure. Data is provided that there were disparities in activities. Compared to more advantaged students, fewer middle and high school students who are Black, Hispanic, living in low-income households, classified as English Learners, have a disability, are in the District's homeless program or are in foster care participated across all measures of online activity. Report states that low participation may show lost learning, which could take students years to recoup.
Besecker, M., Thomas, Ph. D., A. 2020. Student Engagement Online During School Facilities Closures: An Analysis of L.A. Unified Secondary Students' Schoology Activity from March 16 to May 22, 2020. Los Angeles, California: Independent Analysis Unit, Los Angeles Unified School District
http://laschoolboard.org/sites/default/files/IAU%20Report%202020%200707%20-%20Student%20Engagement%20Online%20During%20Closures.pdf
