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Study: Arkansas schools making progress, more work needed Friday, Feb 22, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Public schools in Arkansas have made significant progress in improving education since the 2002 state Supreme Court Lake View decision, but a big gap still remains among students of different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds, according to a study released Thursday. "We're pleased that we've made some small progress in closing the gap but understand that we've got a long way to go, not only in Arkansas, but across the country," Arkansas' Education Commissioner Ken James said. Gov. Mike Beebe is reviewing the report and agrees things are getting better but more work needs to be done, his spokesman Matt DeCample said. "The two things that jump out at us that go along with what we've been promoting all along, of course, are pre-K and after-school programs," DeCample said. The study, released by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, points to several initiatives implemented since the Lake View decision, including tougher education standards, a significant raise in teacher pay, and more than $100 million a year to expand preschool programs. It also notes that Education Week ranked Arkansas No. 8 in the nation for education quality and that average ACT scores have risen from 17 in 2001 to 21 in 2006. The study, however, also mentions that National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores from the past 12 years show that "major gaps" remain between black and white children and between low-income and middle-class children. "Arkansas has made great strides in improving the education system for children in recent years, but there's still a long road ahead," said Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. "There are serious disparities among students across the state, and if we truly intend to give our kids every opportunity, we must be open to a variety of solutions," he added. Although there is no "silver bullet to close the achievement gap," the state must develop a comprehensive program to address the problem, which should involve universities, community groups, local governments and health agencies, the report said. James said the work by the governor and Legislature to increase funding and expand preschool programs is key to reducing the achievement gap. "We're trying to develop the playing field and we need to get to them early," he said of the importance of preschool programs. Another important factor is the state's toughening of education standards, James said. "We've got to make sure that our kids, our students, are taking the right courses, so they can be prepared," he said. The education commissioner also said his department is working on programs to bring more highly trained teachers into some of the poorer areas of the state, and keeping them there. James noted that a special commission created by the Legislature has been looking at different ways to reduce the achievement gap, and his department also has formed a committee to look at the problem. Along with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, others involved in releasing the report were the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Policy. ----- On the Web at www.aradvocates.org |
