“There is an achievement gap between the test scores, student achievement scores, of African-American students, students with disabilities, students impoverished homes, students where English is not the first language spoken at home, there is an achievement gap between those families and White cohorts,” Superintendent Roger Gallizzi said.
The purpose of this conference is to address that issue, to talk about it, look at strategies to close that gap and address it from a variety of different perspectives, such as teachers, administrators, parents, and other community members.
The conference featured workshops and in-depth discussions regarding the necessary needs of Hispanics, African-Americans, special education students, and the socioeconomically disadvantage.
Gallizzi, the Superintendent of the Palmdale School District, held a workshop that was for faith-based organizations and people of the community. His presentation targeted pastors, ministries, priests, and bishops and their roles as community leaders to help close the gap.
Director of migrant, immigrant, and English learner programs for the Palmdale School District, Geoff Brown held a workshop that centered on English learners and other underachieving students. He believes his philosophical method of using the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model, is a valuable approach in closing the gap.
The SIOP model is distinct in that it offers a field-tested protocol for systematic lesson planning, delivery, and assessment, making its application for teaching English learners transparent for both pre-service candidates preparing to be teachers and for practicing teachers engaged in staff development.
“The main thing that I think is important is that we really have to have high expectations for our students and know that they can achieve,” Brown said. “And when we do that, that’s the most important hurdle to get over, hold those high expectations and not accept anything less than our kids’ best.”
Perhaps the most enticing, entertaining, and encouraging was keynote speaker, Larry Bell.
Bell has been the keynote speaker at many conferences across the country including the National Association of Multicultural Education Conference and hundreds of other local and regional conferences.
Bell is a 25-year veteran in education—he’s been nominated for the National Agnes Mayer Outstanding Teacher Award. Bell discussed high expectations, test preparation strategies for all students, as well as motivational techniques to use in the classroom and at home.
According to the California Department of Education’s 2009-2010, the Academic Performance Index (API) reports, that the API scores for Hispanics in the Palmdale School District was 723. It was even lower for the African American population with a score of 675 when compared to a score of 795 for White students and a soaring score of 862 for Asians.
Bell says that believing in the children, believing in yourself, and do the little things everyday such as encouraging kids, doing vocabulary, reading every day, and never accept an excuse can be critical.
“The most effective way to get kids to do this as an adult is to be excited about it yourself,” Bell said. “The number one way to inspire children is to be inspired yourself.”
-By Donjai Richardson
