Adam Platt's Nov. 27 commentary "The city's strongest schools should not be sacrificed" highlights the challenge that the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools face in overcoming the achievement gap. Without an emphasis on equity (putting resources where the needs are greatest) the achievement gap will likely only get worse. Why? It is the top of an iceberg in which a larger opportunity gap lies below the surface.
If those of us who are more fortunate demand equality of funding across districts, then the students from more affluent households will continue to have more and more, while students from poor households will continue to have less. Those of us who are more fortunate will continue to supplement our children's education with after-school and summer programs in arts, music, language and sports. We will provide our children with the latest digital technology and take them on whatever travel opportunities we can afford. Children from impoverished homes will have little or none of this. So, as our children get more and more added on to an equalized investment in students across a district, poor students continue to get less.
Research at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2010 found that countries that emphasize equity in their education systems have the highest outcomes in learning. In that study, the United States was below average in equity and barely above average in educational outcomes. In order for all students to have greater success, schools must put resources where the needs are greatest and expect excellence in outcomes as a result.
However, I support Platt's main point: Why should money be taken away from successful schools? That doesn't have to happen if we are willing to add more resources to our public schools. When the schools have more resources, they can take that additional money and put it where it is most needed and not have to take away from what already exists.
Are we willing to tax ourselves so the schools will have those greater resources, or will we who are more fortunate fight to retain our privileges? It is not enough that the students of the better off do well in school and go on and graduate from college. We need all students to graduate ready for college or career. If we don't reach for that goal, then Minnesota will not have the workforce it needs to remain prosperous.
Grant Abbott is a member of the Minnesota Achievement Gap Committee.
