Achievement Gap Steering Committee

Whereas, the mission of the Webster Groves School District is to empower all students to achieve excellence and to function responsibly and productively in an ever changing society; and

nWhereas, this district believes that all students can and will learn; that family is the single most significant influence on an individual; that diversity creates vitality in the individual and the organization; that there is a direct correlation between expectations and achievement; and that all people have the same inherent worth; and

Whereas, the Webster Groves School District recognizes that an academic achievement gap exists between African-American students and other students in our schools and is a crisis in schools throughout the nation;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Webster Groves School District commits:

To be sensitive to and supportive of viable research-based strategies to eliminate the academic achievement gap and to be firm in its resolve until the gap is eliminated;

To convene a task force, including professional educators, parents, students, and others to study, evaluate, and recommend methods of eliminating the gap as quickly as possible; prepare an action plan; and report its progress to the Board by July 2, 2002, with the goal to implement a plan of action by September 2002;

To keep our community informed of our progress and engaged in the process of eliminating the academic achievement gap and enhancing learning for all students.

Adopted this 10th day of December, 2001 by the Webster Groves School District Board of Education.