2007 by The Education Trust-West The Pipeline. To Where? Achievement in California September 25, 2007 En Banc Hearing: Growing California’s Leaders, The Pipeline. Russlynn Ali, Executive Director The Education Trust-West

2007 by The Education Trust-West California’s Biggest Crisis: Closing Achievement and Opportunity Gaps.

2007 by The Education Trust-West The Gap Between California’s Young People and Their Peers in Almost Every Other State.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Latino 4th Grade Students – NAEP READING Source: National Center for Education Statistics,

2007 by The Education Trust-West African American 4th Grade Students – NAEP READING Source: National Center for Education Statistics,

2007 by The Education Trust-West Almost every other state does better than California in 8 th grade reading Source: NCES, National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2005

2007 by The Education Trust-West Latino 8th Grade Students – NAEP READING Source: National Center for Education Statistics,

2007 by The Education Trust-West And Let’s Be Clear. It’s Not Our Demographics.

2007 by The Education Trust-West California’s White 8th Grade Students Trail Behind Their Peers in Most States Source: National Center for Education Statistics,

2007 by The Education Trust-West A look closer to home. LA County The Gaps On Our Own Assessments.

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY English Language Arts CST 2007 All Students Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY MATH CST 2007 All Students *General Math – Tests Grades 6 & 7 Standards Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West But underneath those averages... Achievement gaps start early, and get wider the longer students stay in our schools.

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY English (ELA) 4 th Grade, By Ethnicity CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Math 4 th Grade, By Economic Status CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West By Middle and High School Gaps Grow Increasingly Wider.

2007 by The Education Trust-West CA: African American and Latino 7 th graders read at about the level of White 3 rd graders CAT/ Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY: Same story. CAT/ Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY ELA 11 th Grade, By Ethnicity CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY ELA 11 th Grade, By Economic Status CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Algebra I (Grades 8-11), By Ethnicity CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Algebra I (Grades 8-11), By Economic Status CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Geometry (Grades 8-11), By Ethnicity CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Geometry (Grades 8-11) CST 2007, By Economic Status Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Algebra II (Grades 8-11), By Ethnicity CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Algebra II (Grades 8-11) CST 2007, By Economic Status Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West And these are for the students that stay in school.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Too Few Graduate. LA County Class of 2005 Source: Education Trust-West Analysis of CDE data, using the Manhattan Institute methodology *Includes 9 th graders who graduated four years later.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Scandalous Graduation Rates. Different Numbers. Different Truths? From soon to be released EdTrust West Grad Rate Web Tool on

2007 by The Education Trust-West And Even Fewer Graduate College Ready LA County vs. CA Class of 2005 Source: Education Trust-West Analysis of CDE data, using the Manhattan Institute methodology *Includes 9 th graders who graduated four years later.

2007 by The Education Trust-West And even for those that are college ready, are they really ready?

2007 by The Education Trust-West Readiness for College Mathematics 11 th graders in Algebra II, by Ethnicity Source: Unpublished Data from Early Assessment Program, California State University, June 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West Readiness for College English 11 th graders, by Ethnicity Source: Unpublished Data from Early Assessment Program, California State University, June 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West Hormones?

2007 by The Education Trust-West If so, we’d see the same pattern in other countries. And we don’t.

2007 by The Education Trust-West 2003: U.S. Ranked 24 th out of 29 OECD Countries in Mathematics Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA 2003 Results, data available at

2007 by The Education Trust-West Problems are not limited to our high-poverty and high-minority schools...

2007 by The Education Trust-West U.S. Ranks 23 rd out of 29 OECD Countries in the Math Achievement of the Highest- Performing Students* * Students at the 95 th Percentile Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA 2003 Results, data available at

2007 by The Education Trust-West U.S. Ranks 23 rd out of 29 OECD Countries in the Math Achievement of High-SES Students Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA 2003 Results, data available at

2007 by The Education Trust-West Where we rank high? The size of our achievement gap.

2007 by The Education Trust-West * Of 29 OECD countries, based on scores of students at the 5 th and 95 th percentiles. PISA 2003: Gaps in Performance Of U.S.15 Year-Olds Are Among the Largest of OECD Countries Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA 2003 Results, data available at

2007 by The Education Trust-West Is the achievement gap all about poverty? Turns out, No.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Non-Poor Minority Students have the Same ELA Proficiency Rates as Poor White Students 2007 CST-ELA (All Students) Source: 2007 CST Results News Release, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell

2007 by The Education Trust-West Non-Poor Minority Students have Lower Math Proficiency Rates than Poor White Students 2007 CST-Math (All Students) Source: 2007 CST Results News Release, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell

2007 by The Education Trust-West The Good News? When we focus on changing those patterns, we get results.

2007 by The Education Trust-West LOS ANGELES COUNTY Math 4 th Grade, By English Proficiency CST 2007 Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West Sustainable Improvement is Possible. A Model: Ralph Bunche Elementary - Compton Unified 48% African- American 50% Latino 93% Low-income Outperforming District and State 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade Math Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West 64% 51% 27% Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West 76% 56% 38% Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West Hughes Middle – Long Beach Unified 55% African- American and Latino 48% Low- income Outperforming District and State 8 th grade ELA Source: California Department of Education, 2007

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two High Schools in LA County Source: California Department of Education Garfield Senior High School Los Angeles Unified Over 4000 students Over 80% low-income El Monte High El Monte Union High School District Over 2000 students Over 75% low-income

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two High Schools in LA County Source: California Department of Education

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two High Schools in LA County Source: California Department of Education

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two High Schools in LA County Source: California Department of Education

2007 by The Education Trust-West Are districts in LA County who are closing gaps? Source: Raising the Roof, Data collected are 2005 API Base Scores

2007 by The Education Trust-West Are there High Schools in LA County closing gaps? Source: Raising the Roof, Data collected are 2005 API Base Scores

2007 by The Education Trust-West How? Equal Access to Rigor. With the right supports.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Even though most students want to go to college, the truth is, many low income students and students of color aren’t getting the classes in the first place.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Grade 7 Standards Based, Rigorous Writing Assignment Source: Unnamed school district in California, school year. Essay on Anne Frank Your essay will consist of an opening paragraph which introduced the title, author and general background of the novel. Your thesis will state specifically what Anne's overall personality is, and what general psychological and intellectual changes she exhibits over the course of the book You might organize your essay by grouping psychological and intellectual changes OR you might choose 3 or 4 characteristics (like friendliness, patience, optimism, self doubt) and show how she changes in this area.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Grade 7 Low-Level Writing Assignment Source: Unnamed school district in California, school year. My Best Friend:My Best Friend: A chore I hate:A chore I hate: A car I want:A car I want: My heartthrob:My heartthrob: 2004 by The Education Trust-West

2007 by The Education Trust-West Same Course & Text Book: High-Level college-prep assignment. Describe the fundamental problems in the economy that helped cause the Great Depression. Consider agriculture, consumer spending and debt, distribution of wealth, the stock market Describe how people struggled to survive during the Depression How did Hoover’s belief in “rugged individualism” shape his policies during the depression?

2007 by The Education Trust-West Same Course & Text Book: Low Level college-prep assignment. Role play (Meet the Press) & interview key people of the era Draw a political cartoon highlighting a major event of the time Share excerpts from noted literary authors-Lewis, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Hughes Listen to jazz artists of the 20’s Construct a collage depicting new inventions

2007 by The Education Trust-West Be careful of courses that are supposed to prepare students for the workforce. Are courses code language for old- style vocational education tracking? Who gets access to the rigorous academies, and who gets courses that lead to dead end jobs?

2007 by The Education Trust-West How? Equal Access to Rigor. With the right supports. –Like MORE TIME!

2007 by The Education Trust-West The Full Year Calendar Most Administrators Don’t Realize How Little Time They Have For Teaching And Learning. Analysis of One California Urban Middle School Calendar Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West Less Summer Vacation Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West Less Weekends, Holidays, & Summer Vacation Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West Less Professional Development Days & Early Dismissal/Parent Conferences Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West Less Class Picnic, Class Trip, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Awards, Assembles, & Concerts Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West Less State and District Testing and Other Non- Instructional Time Source: Ed Trust – West analysis of the master schedule of an unnamed school in CA

2007 by The Education Trust-West BOTTOM LINE? Teachers are left with about 24 School Days OR 18 Eight Hour Days Per Subject Per Year

2007 by The Education Trust-West We can’t be serious about closing the achievement gap while letting the teacher quality gap persist.

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Greater Percentage of Intern Teachers Work in High-Minority Schools 85% of all interns are teaching in schools with over 50% minority students, compared to only 7% of interns in schools with less than 25% minority student population. Minority Quartiles Guha, R., Campbell, A., Humphrey, D., Shields, P., Tiffany-Morales, J., & Wechsler, M. (2006). California’s teaching force 2006: Key issues and trends. Santa Cruz, CA: The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning.

2007 by The Education Trust-West The Teacher Quality Gap is about money too. We’re spending far less on teaching the kids who need good teachers the most.

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two Schools Granada Hills High School Los Angeles Unified 32% Latino & African American 27% of students receive free or reduced price lunch Academic Performance Index = 773 Locke High School Los Angeles Unified 99% Latino & African American 66% of students receive free or reduced price lunch Academic Performance Index = 440 Source: CA Department of Education, data

2007 by The Education Trust-West The average teacher at Locke High School gets paid an estimated $8,034 less every year than his counterpart at Granada Hills High School. If Locke spent as much as Granada Hills on teacher salaries for its 119 teachers, the school budget would increase by nearly a million dollars ($956,056) every year.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Tale of Two Schools: Bellflower Unified Districtwide: 54% low-income 63% Latino and African American

2007 by The Education Trust-West A Tale of Two Schools Stephen Foster Elementary Bellflower Unified 34% Latino & African American 21% of students receive free or reduced price lunch Academic Performance Index = 805 Washington Elementary Bellflower Unified 80% Latino & African American 86% of students receive free or reduced price lunch Academic Performance Index = 692 Source: CA Department of Education, data

2007 by The Education Trust-West The average teacher at Washington Elementary gets paid an estimated $11,343 less every year than his counterpart at Foster. If Washington spent as much as Foster on teacher salaries for its 52 teachers, the school budget would increase by $589,836 every year.

2007 by The Education Trust-West If we had the courage and creativity to change these patterns?

2007 by The Education Trust-West “The Rivkin, Hanushek, and Kain estimates of teacher performance suggest that having five years of good teachers in a row* could overcome the average seventh- grade mathematics achievement gap […].” * “1.0 standard deviation above average, or at the 85 th quality percentile” SOURCE: Eric A. Hanushek and Steven G. Rivkin, “How to Improve the Supply of High-Quality Teachers,” In Brookings Papers on Education Policy: 2004,” Diane Ravitch, ed., Brrookings Institution Press, Estimates based on research using data from Texas described in “Teachers, Schools, and Academic Achievement,” Working Paper Number 6691, National Bureau of Economic Research, revised July 2002.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Would More Money Help? Of course, but more money must be spent more wisely. Advocates for more money must also be advocates for reform.

2007 by The Education Trust-West Some districts that out-perform spend less NAEP 2005 Grade 8 Math -Overall Scale Scores Source: National Center for Education Statistics, and Standard and Poor’s $7,284 $7,132 $12,562 $8,311 $6,923 $11,920 $7,799 $8,283 $10,199 $11,312 $11,847

2007 by The Education Trust-West Closing California’s Achievement Gaps is the Most Important Issue Facing Our Public Schools. The real question moving forward is how to develop the civic and political heft to do what it takes. We have the know how. But do we have the will?

2007 by The Education Trust-West Registration Begins in the Fall. SAVE THE DATE! The Education Trust – West