Student Assistance Programs: Helping to Close the Achievement Gap
Background
Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell suggests that the major factors contributing to the achievement gap can be grouped into four major themes: Access, Culture and Climate, Expectations, and Strategies. The P-16 (Pre-kindergarten to Higher Education) Council approved 14 Recommendations within these four major themes that, if implemented, could help insure that every student has an opportunity to achieve his/her potential.
How Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) Can Help
Access
SAPs create the safety net for students who are experiencing barriers to learning and offer all students access to services and programs that are offered at the school or within the community.
Culture and Climate
SAPs improve the culture and climate of a school by having the needs of students met through intervention thus creating a culture of equity.
Expectations
SAPs also instill high expectations for all students and staff and work to build resiliency so that all students can experience and choose to participate in a culture of expectation.
Strategies
SAPs provide a way for maximizing organizational practices using an evidence-based strategy to promote a high level of service, accountability, leadership and collaboration.
