The Achievement Gap Initiative
at Harvard University
   

THIRD ANNUAL STATE-of-the-RESEARCH CONFERENCE JUNE 18 and 19, 2007

CAMBRIDGE, MA. Structures, Cultures, and Achievement Gaps: New Research with Implications for Public Engagement The conference focused on research findings that have strategic implications for the emergent national movement to raise achievement levels while closing achievement gaps between racial, ethnic and income groups. Presenters included economists, sociologists, psychologists, education specialists, political scientists and others. Participants were researchers, funders, policy makers, activists and practitioners. The goal was to learn from one another in ways that inform our future work and enhance our collective contribution to addressing the nation's achievement gap challenges.

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The 2007 AGI Research Conference was made possible by a grant from Time Warner Inc. The AGI holds its Annual "State of the Research" Conference each June in Cambridge, MA. Leading researchers across the country are invited to present their current research findings to fellow researchers, policy makers, funders and practitioners.

June 18th: researchers from several universities presented recent findings on the multiple pathways by which structural and cultural features of the society appear to affect achievement levels and disparities. In the afternoon, particpants viewed and discussed documentary film maker Byron Hurt's important new film: “Beats and Rhymes: A Documentary about Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture.” Afterward, research presentations addressed achievement-related messages in hip-hop music and other aspects of youth culture that seem important to understand as we consider ways to influence academic learning.

June 19th: presentations explored ways that structural and cultural forces in schools and school systems affect capacity for instructional improvement under the No Child Left Behind law. A key focus was research on fair and effective allocation of skilled teachers and factors affecting the delivery of high quality instruction. Research presentations also focused on how school and college cultures shape achievement outcomes and strategic options for improvement. New research on structural and cultural parenting issues across racial, ethnic, and income groups, and implications for achievement levels and gaps was presented and discussed. 
 

June 2007 AGI Conference

Review of Key Findings from the 2006 Conference-Paper by Ron Ferguson

Agenda

Working Papers

Video Presentations

AGI Newsletter Highlights

 

   

 
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Photos (top left and right) by Kevin G. Reeves for the Shaker Heights City School District