Could it be...outside the schools' control?

Now here's something you don't often hear: a superintendent questioning the closing of the so-called "achievement gap."

Palo Alto Superintendent Kevin Skelly is calling the total elimination of the gap "the triumph of hope over experience." Palo Alto would certainly have the experience to speak of:

"It's just not possible for the average kid who comes to this country in seventh or eighth grade, or even third grade, without a word of English and parents with little formal education, to match the achievement levels of kids whose mom has a Ph.D. in English from Stanford and can afford to stay home and spend time supplementing the education of her kids."

He's not, please note, saying that we shouldn't work with the kids who have a background not condusive to testing well. He is, however, saying that we are doing all involved a disservice to continue to speak of the eliminating the gap while never acknowledging what goes into creating that gap. Only some of this is under the control of the public schools.