When analyzing and assessing the issues within Student Affairs it is important to pay for close attention the the achievement gap. This will help us to understand the challenges students face in and outside of the classroom. The issue of the achievement gap can become very complex, this is due to the fact that there are a variety of socioeconomic factors that potentially play a role in this gap. Income and opportunity is one factor that plays a major role. An impoverished family is more likely to lack the resources that would afford their children the chance to be successful. In terms of students who are striving to complete college it is a lot it is more challenging if you don’t have anyone in your family who has finished or even attempted to attend college. As a first generation minority I know what that is like. What is FASFA? How do I pay for college? How do you study? This leads me to introduce another factor which is the the level of support that the family has for the students learning. Oftentimes, people see no value in something they’ve never experienced themselves. Other factors such as “student interest in school, and the students effort in there studies in general” (NAE).
“Achievement gaps occur when one group of students (such as, students grouped by race/ethnicity, gender) outperforms another group and the difference in average scores for the two groups is statistically significant (that is, larger than the margin of error)”. The National Center for Educational Statistics explored the achievement gap between White students and Black students. The data was then used to analyze patterns and changes in the gap over time. Understanding these things will help Student Affairs professionals to better improve their services to help students be successful. In predominately white schools, the achievement tends to be lower among black students. “White students, however, tend to have higher scores than Black students, on average, on all assessments” (NAEP). The National Center for Educational Statistics, believes that this is due to the socioeconomic factors stated earlier on in this article.
In higher education, the issues of the achievement gap create inequality when it comes to educational outcomes. Estela Bensimon believes that, “the theories and practices of organizational learning can help professionals understand and address the structural and cultural obstacles that prevent colleges and universities from producing equitable educational outcomes” (Bensimon, 99). If patterns of inequality continue you to be not discussed and swept under the rug then the problem won’t be tackled head on. Institutional practices are a reflection of the majority that they serve. Still, this leaves the minority at a disadvantage. This is why it is important for universities to adopt diversity as their cognitive frame. “focus their attention on demographic characteristics of the student body, and view diversity in terms of interracial contact and human relations. Diversity should be an institutional characteristic that promotes learning outcomes that better prepares students for an increasingly diverse workforce and society” (Bensimon, 101). This is beneficial because students will feel more valued and prepared to be successful and thrive.
Bensimon, E. M. (n.d.). Closing the Achievement Gap in Higher Education: An … Retrieved November 9, 2016, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Estela_Bensimon/publicatio/227658419_Closing_the_achievement_gap_in_higher_education_An_organizational_learning_perspective/links/0deec52a116c9a5804000000.pdf
NAEP – Achievement Gaps. (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2016, from https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/gaps/
Identifying Factors that Contribute to Achievement Gaps. (n.d.). Retrieved November 09, 2016, from http://www.nea.org/home/17413.htm
Issues in Higher Education: Student Affairs 