Introduction

50 Ways to Achieve High-Performing Schools: Abandoning Simplistic Mindsets

The achievement gap problem, the most complex and compelling educational dilemma facing schools in the twenty-first century, has no universal solution; instead, there are “solutions” in combinations, because the problem is multicausal, historical, and multidimensional. This fact is not easily understood, because educators, legislators, foundations, think tank pundits, and policy wonks often frame the problem as unidimensional. When problems are so framed, their solution is similarly framed. But the fact that no single solution has shown itself to be viable anywhere over an extended time period suggests that something is missing. The most important piece that is missing is how the problem is conceptualized or framed.

The first important step to take in confronting the achievement gap ...