Can Schools Close the Achievement Gap between Students from Different?

The article "Closing the Achievement Gap by Detracking" discusses methods that can be used to increase academic achievement within all students, primarily those of lower economic classes and minority groups. It is expressed in this article that the amount of minority students are overestimated and disproportionately placed in that category. The article states that if students are given proper learning materials and opportunities their rate of achievement will increase and they will be successful. In order to keep lower achievement students at the right pace, lesson plans tend to be "watered-down" and not as challenging. This method brings down the achievement of all students rather than catching up the under achievers. Instead, high-track classes should be encouraged and integrated by higher and lower achievement groups. This challenges all participating students and encourages learning. There were examples of schools that tried the higher-tracking method and were extremely successful. The article states that the best way to close the achievement gap is by challenging all students with high-track classes.
The article "Bridging the Achievement Gap: A Bridge Too Far?" expresses the idea that schools can do a lot to solve the problem of the achievement gap, but cannot solve it alone. Problems of the society must be addressed in order to bridge the achievement gap. The media attempts to paint a picture in which minority groups succeed in achievement through hard work and effort. The message is that if they can do it, anyone can. Even though success is attainable for minority groups, schools will not have these results if they do not have the proper support and learning materials. Workshops were created to give structure and organization to bridging the achievement gap, but simply following the outline of the program is not enough. Schools that contain primarily minority students are less likely to reach "adequate yearly progress" because the same educational tools and resources are not available. Low income families are likely to use vouchers which push out higher income students. Teachers tend to focus and work more with students that are closest to proficiency to raise them over the bar and ignore the students that really need more attention. Schools can do a lot to help to bridge the achievement gap but need the help of media, educational money, programs, and incentives to provide more opportunities and aids for all students.
I believe that schools can do a lot to close the achievement gap between students of different back rounds, socioeconomic class, and cultures, but aid from other sources is essential. By putting all students in higher-track level classes, the achievement rate will rise. Teachers that attend educational workshops and obtain educational resources will be able to provide students more opportunities for growth and learning. Classroom motivation, hands on activities, and creative teaching styles can also greatly improve achievement rates. These factors are only one half of the solution. Schools need aid from higher educational authority to provide them with these resources and money. Media also plays a big role by expressing all people as equals and not different in terms of culture, race, and back round. Without outside help, schools will not be able to bridge the gap alone, but they can greatly increase the achievement rate with their techniques and motivational actions toward success.