Closing the Racial Academic Achievement Gap [Paperback]

Matthew Lynch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

With the arrival of the No Child Left Behind Act, the so-called racial achievement gap has attracted more concern and controversy than ever before. According to this timely analysis, the myth of the racial achievement gap has nothing to do with genetics—and everything to do with a host of embarrassing yet reversible social and pedagogical failures, including low teacher expectations, unrealistic time tables for learning goals, irrelevant curricula, ineffectual teaching methods, careless administrators, poor parental involvement, negative peer groups, and self-esteem issues. For every problem raised, the text offers a level-headed solution, culminating in a plan for closing the supposed racial achievement gap for good.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Matthew Lynch is a doctoral student at Jackson State University. He has taught courses at the university level and has conducted numerous workshops on education. He lives in Hazelhurst, Mississippi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: African American Images (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974900060
• ISBN-13: 978-0974900063
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Lynch is an Assistant Professor of Education at Widener University. He spent seven years as a K-12 teacher, which gave him an intimate view of the impediments that hinder genuine education reform. He has focused the second stage of his career on researching topics related to educational policy, school leadership and education reform, particularly in the urban learning environment. Dr. Lynch's scholarship is intended to make a redoubtable, theoretically and empirically based argument that genuine school reform and the closing of the well-chronicled achievement gap are possible. His research and commentaries have been featured in publications throughout the United States and have centered on issues ranging from school reform to politics. Throughout his career, he has been interested in developing collaborative enterprises that move the field of education forward.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Closing the Gap, December 23, 2006

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closing the Racial Academic Achievement Gap (Paperback)

CLOSING THE RACIAL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAP by Matthew Lynch explores the causes of and proposes solutions to the racial academic achievement gap. The book contains sections for parents, teachers and administrators. Lynch provides excellent information on how each group can have maximum influence on students by helping them reach their academic potential. He also investigates possible causes of academic failure; but is careful not to finger-point, and discusses who might be accountable for a student not reaching expected levels.

One of the many jewels of this book is how Lynch presents examples of successful programs that help increase development in these areas. At the end of the book, Lynch highlights the necessary steps to educate African Americans in this age of information technology. He explains how traditional educational methods will no longer suffice and gives insight on what is needed to change the current academic environment to one that is better suited to address the changing needs of an evolving society.

CLOSING THE RACIAL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAP is highly recommended to all parents, educators and administrators and should be used as a road map. It provides an excellent model for anyone in the educational venue who is looking for solutions.

Review by Granderson Glenn II
for RAWSISTAZ & BMR

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth study of the factors involved in the prominent gap in educational development between whites and blacks, May 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closing the Racial Academic Achievement Gap (Paperback)

Closing The Racial Academic Achievement Gap by Matthew Lynch is an in-depth study of the factors involved in the prominent gap in educational development between whites and blacks, and allowances which are based upon race. Knowledgeably covering the aspects of the racially based exclusions and limits within academic institutions, Closing The Racial Academic Achievement Gap comprehensively presents understandings and answers to the questions of what contributing factors might serve to widen the achievement gap between African Americans and their white counter parts?; how can African American Parents help their children succeed in school?; what groups should be held accountable for allowing African American students to fail through the cracks?; how should teachers respond to academic failure and misbehavior of African American children?; and how should we better educate African American children in the "Age of Information Technology? Closing The Racial Academic Achievement Gap is very strongly recommended reading for school administrators, and teachers, as well as to parents and guardians of African American children.