Closing the persistent gaps in education outcomes among different subgroups of students is a fundamental goal for scholars and policymakers. But closing the gap means tackling larger economic problems that drive these inequities. A learning gap is a disparity between what a student actually knows and what they are expected to know at a given grade level. It often leads to later academic challenges because it prevents students from building on previous knowledge and skills.
Focus on Student Engagement
A critical component of student success is the degree to which students are engaged with their learning. This can be measured by how they feel about their education and how much they invest in their studies.
For example, a study found that students who felt strongly about their school were better prepared for college and careers after graduation. They also scored higher on standardized tests and graduated at higher rates than students in schools with low student engagement.
However, student engagement can be a complex concept that involves many different components. This can make it difficult to measure and improve.
Focus on Social-Emotional Learning
Research suggests that social-emotional learning can be a powerful tool in promoting academic success. In fact, a meta-analysis showed that SEL can improve students’ achievement scores by an average of 11 percentile points.
Developing strong social and emotional skills is essential for a variety of reasons, from coping with feelings to working in teams. In fact, these “soft skills” can boost students’ attitudes toward school, which in turn improves their performance and attendance.
Moreover, social-emotional learning programs also teach important relationship skills, including empathy and respect for others. These skills help kids to build friendships and resolve conflicts. They also allow them to develop leadership skills and a sense of social justice.
Focus on Teaching
Education drives a range of positive outcomes for individuals and societies, including job and earnings gains, health, and poverty reduction. But the achievement gap that persists across generations is wide, especially for low-income and minority students in the United States.
Teachers play a key role in closing the learning gap. And the teaching profession has never been more important.
For example, a recent study from Mathematica found that high-intensity active learning reduced the gap in math scores between students from middle- and low-income backgrounds. These results suggest that teachers can help to narrow the achievement gap for all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Focus on Personalized Learning
Personalized learning allows students to take control of their own education by tailoring the curriculum to their specific strengths, interests and needs. It can also help students to stay engaged in the classroom by encouraging them to explore their interests and build a growth mindset.
In addition, personalized learning gives students the chance to work with peers in a team setting. This helps them learn from one another and develop skills in collaboration and problem-solving.
Despite the positive potential of personalized learning, there are still many concerns about it. For example, some critics have argued that it can lead to inequity by watering down standards and offering different paths for students.
Focus on Investing in Technology
Technology is a key part of any business, and it is important to keep up with the latest advancements. This will help you stay on top of your industry and give you an edge over competitors who do not use technology.
Aside from helping your business reach a larger audience, investing in new technology can also improve productivity. Automating, clarifying, or excluding tasks that otherwise take up too much time, it can make things faster for your employees.
A recent study by IBM found that more than three-quarters of companies plan to prioritize or invest in technology next year. They are looking to expand their infrastructure, build AI services on top of that infrastructure for a better employee and customer experience, and secure their entire digital ecosystem.
While education is crucial for the success and well-being of individuals, it’s also important to acknowledge the dangers of everyday life. Readers interested in exploring unusual fatalities can check out the 100-word piece “Top 10 Rarest Deaths!” which discusses unusual and unexpected ways people have passed away. However, it’s essential to remember the importance of education and narrowing the learning gap in society. To learn more about narrowing the learning gap, readers can check out the article “How America Can Narrow the Learning Gap” and discover ways to improve access to education for all individuals.
