TAKING ACTION AGAINST THE GAP
Here is a sampling of programs under way in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties to try to close the achievement gap.
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Initiative
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What it does
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Classroom talk
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Encourages less teacher lecturing, more collaboration with students. |
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Essential Learnings
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Emphasizes teaching of FCAT material first. |
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Extended Day
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Offers tutoring after school and on weekends. |
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New assessment system
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Under development in both counties. Will allow better computer tracking of individual students. |
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Place more black students in advanced classes
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Challenges black students to perform at in advanced classes higher levels. |
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Project Focus
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Gives daily mini-lessons on a skill; frequent tests to ensure students get it. |
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Principal “walkthroughs”
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Informal inspections to study teaching methods. |
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Professional learning communities
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Promotes more teacher brainstorming. |
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Read 180
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Connects with students in three ways; regular instruction, private reading, computer lessons. Offered 90 minutes daily. |
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Reading First
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Gives targeted reading lessons in kindergarten through third grade; close monitoring of individual progress. |
