Closing the Opportunity Gap

Closing the Opportunity Gap: Institute on Teaching and Learning for a Bright Tomorrow

Conference this week seeks to change attitudes about student achievement

Durham, NC - On April 26 and 27, local and national education professionals will gather at Duke to discuss educational reform that would treat every child as a gifted child and challenge them to seek a bright future.

"Closing the Opportunity Gap: Institute on Teaching and Learning for a Bright Tomorrow" is a two-day conference sponsored by the American Association for Gifted Children (AAGC), The Research Network on Racial and Ethnic Inequality at Duke University, Social Science Research Institute at Duke and The Exceptional Children Division of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

"The general principle is that when you upgrade or accelerate curriculum for all students, you get positive results for all students," said William Darity, director of the Research Network on Racial and Ethnic Inequality and AAGC Board Member. "And, in fact, universalizing a high-quality curriculum actually reduces the magnitude of the racial achievement gap."  

Education professionals in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about AAGC's Project Bright Tomorrow through real life examples, current research and materials to initiate the program in their prospective school districts.

With keynote speakers, Angel Harris, Princeton University and Darity, the conference leaders plan to have certain messages presented to the audience:

• Circulate information about the Javits Research Project Bright IDEA: Interest Development Early Abilities, as a model for transforming teaching and learning;
• Showcase new Bright Tomorrow Schools, based on the model
• Disseminate current research on racial and ethnic inequality and poverty issues for closing the opportunity gap for all students
• Dialogue and collaborate with stakeholders on long term solutions for transforming teaching and learning in the 21^st Century. 

"Our breakout sessions with principals, teachers and curriculum directors will show results and how to best implement the programs in their districts," said Margaret Gayle, executive director of AAGC. "We hope when everyone leaves, there will be a way to continue to work together. Our call to action at the end of the conference will be to involve and collaborate with those who are interested in follow-up institutes in July. We want to start a dialogue with participants to work toward improving best practices for all students -- teaching every child as we believe they are gifted."

For more information on the conference and to register visit http://thenetwork.ssri.duke.edu/closingthegap.php. 

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