Closing the Achievement Gap

Second of a two-part series (download the pdf version in english or spanish)

As we described in the February newsletter, the Achievement Gap refers to the disparity that exists in academic performance between white middle-class students and their minority low income peers. It is one of the greatest challenges facing schools across the nation. In Eagle County, a big part of this issue is caused by a ‘language gap’ with nearly one-third of our student population having limited English speaking abilities. It Takes a Village

Closing the Achievement Gap is a challenge that Eagle County Schools faces everyday as we strive to accomplish our mission of “educating every student for success.” But, we can’t do it alone. We must work together as a community to effect long term solutions. As a starting point, the Eagle County Schools Board of Education met with the Eagle County Commissions on February 15 to discuss the Achievement Gap and its effect on Eagle County. The group agreed to collaborate on this effort and to bring together other elected officials, business and community leaders to identify root causes of the Achievement Gap and look for effective ways to bring about change.

Early childhood is one of the areas with the greatest promise. Thirty-nine percent of this year’s kindergarten students are native Spanish speakers with limited English proficiency, yet half of these children were born in the United States, the majority in Vail! “We must focus on the school readiness and health issues of children from birth to age five if we are to close the Achievement Gap,” said Commissioner Menconi.

“Like generations of immigrants, these children are here because their parents want a better life for their families,” said Scott Green, Eagle County Schools Board President. “It is our moral responsibility to give all children the best possible education,” emphasized John Brendza, Eagle County Schools Superintendent.

Celebrate Fluent English Proficiency

Many students enter our schools as native Spanish speakers but they leave speaking, reading and writing in English and Spanish. Erik Garcia didn’t speak any English when he entered 6th grade at Berry Creek Middle School. He is now a bilingual and biliterate 11th grader at Battle Mountain taking a broad range of classes from dual enrollment (DE) biology and government to woodworking. “The hardest thing about coming here and not speaking English was that I didn’t have any friends and couldn’t understand what kids were saying,” says Erik. That has all changed now as Erik plays varsity soccer, works hard in school and plans for a career in engineering.

Like Erik, Leslie Rodriguez, a senior at Eagle Valley High, moved here from Mexico in 6th grade. “I know I had to work harder than other students,” said Leslie. But her hard work paid off. Leslie is planning to attend college next year to become a graphic designer and has received a good foundation for her studies at Eagle Valley High. “Overall, it’s been a good experience,” agrees Leslie.

“The hardest thing for me,” said Gladys Solis, “was having to do my homework completely on my own since my parents didn’t understand English.” Gladys, now a junior at Battle Mountain, has been in Eagle County Schools since kindergarten. This past summer she was enrolled in the SOAR program at Colorado Mountain College to help her bring her literacy skills up to the college level and enable her to take her current course load which includes DE psychology, government, college algebra and trig and AP World History. She has her sights set on a career in medicine.

Angelica Pinela arrived here from Mexico in 2nd grade and attended Gypsum Elementary. “I got a lot of help from my teachers and was pretty good at speaking and reading English after a couple of years,” said Angelica, now a senior at Eagle Valley High. “I have taken art classes and computer aided design classes and think I want to study Industrial Design in college,” Angelica continues. She is hoping to hear very soon if she is accepted at the Art Institute of Colorado.

Karen Mendoza started kindergarten at Red Sandstone and attended Meadow Mountain and Minturn Middle before arriving at Battle Mountain High where she is now a junior. “I know I want to go to college and am interested in business but I’m not sure where I want to go yet,” says soft-spoken Karen. Fluent in English and Spanish, she’ll have many options.

These students seem to have it all. “Sometimes when I’m reading for pleasure, I pick up a book in Spanish,” says Karen, “but most of my reading these days is in English because of all of my classes.” “I like reading poetry that is written in Spanglish,” comments Leslie. “Poetry is written from the heart and in our hearts is a mix of both languages,” echoes Angelica. Gladys is picking up a third language, French. “Now that my parents understand English, my sister and I need a language to tell secrets in,” she giggles. It is no secret that these students are ready to take on the world!

Celebrating Success in Eagle County Schools

National Merit Scholar Finalists – Riley Pack of Battle Mountain High School and Zach Henry of Eagle Valley High School were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, one of the highest academic awards in the country. Created in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program administers the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test to approximately 1.3 million students nationwide each year as an initial screening procedure. After a fairly lengthy process of elimination, 15,000 Semifinalists are selected and have the chance to duke it out for roughly 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth a whopping $33 million. Congratulations, Riley and Zach!

Battle Mountain Speech & Debate Team - 2 State Champions: Josie Sutner (Value Debate) & Rebecca Richardson (Solo Acting), Other State Finalists: 2nd Place: Kelly Lemon & Jack McRory; 4th Place: Scott Harp/Elliott Dandy; 8th Place: Sophie Sunderland; 9th Place: Jamie Jay/Megan O’Rourke; 10th Place: Olivia Faulan/Nicole Frye; 11th Place: Kim Gillie/Katie Denton & Emma Szindler

Eagle Valley High Wrestling - State Champion: Chris Harvey (160 lbs); 2nd Place State: Brendan Best (171 lbs); 3rd Place State: Mason Ewing (135 lbs); 5th Place State: Kylan Kottenstette (152 lbs)

Battle Mountain Boys Basketball - Western Slope League Champions; State Playoff Round 2 winners; on to the Sweet 16!

Battle Mountain Hockey - Metro Conference Champions; State Final Four for the fifth year in a row

Ski Teams in State Competitions – Overall, Battle Mountain boys finished 6th and Eagle Valley boys finished 7th. Battle Mountain girls finished in 3rd place and Eagle Valley girls came in 9th

Community Events

Attend a Community Forum on the Achievement Gap

Wednesday, March 15th, 6:00-8:00pm, Berry Creek Middle School

Panelists Include: John Brendza - Eagle County Schools Superintendent, Arn Menconi - Eagle County Commissioner, Susie Davis - The Youth Foundation, and Dianna Hulbert - Principal Berry Creek Middle School

Don’t miss these theater events!

AIDA - Elton John & Tim Rice’s timeless love story

March 16 - 18, 7:00 pm Eagle Valley High Auditorium

For tickets call 328-5813 or 328-5258

The Wiz - the musical version of The Wizard of Oz

April 20 - 22

Battle Mountain High Auditorium

For tickets or more information call 328-7834

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