This month we’ll focus our equity moments on the opportunity gap, especially in young children and families. Early childhood is one of the most critical times for developing healthy minds and bodies. Let’s begin by defining our terms:
The opportunity gap is the way social and economic factors outside a person’s control result in lower rates of success in a variety of life aspirations. These factors are directly related to race, ethnicity, neighborhood, family income, and many other social determinants and are set in place long before a child enters kindergarten. The achievement gap compares standardized test scores - by race, gender, high school completion rate, etc.
THE GOOD NEWS …
Progress has been made in recent years! Since 2010, more than 40 states have instituted state-funded preschool programs and results show that children who attend a high-quality early learning program gain four months of learning, on average. In addition, children see positive gains throughout their lives including improved reading and math scores, better graduation rates, and higher income later in life. And locally, “Rochester’s pre-kindergarten programs, through both RCSD and community-based organizations, are nationally known for their quality” (ROC the Future)
HOWEVER …
There is still more to be done to provide equitable access to resources that support healthy early childhood development, especially in Rochester.
RESOURCES
diversitydatakids.org has an overview and a comprehensive list of resources relating to early childhood education
Check out this 4-part On Point series by WBUR: The 50-Year Fight: Solutions For Closing The Achievement Gap