Achievement Gap in San Jose Schools 'Frightening'

SAN JOSE (KCBS) — The numbers are startling for San Jose students; almost one-half of all grade school students are behind in proficiency. The school system's effort to bridge the achievement gap by the year 2020 is underway.

Santa Clara County Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Weis said slight progress is being made, but there's a long way to go.

"74 percent of white non-Hispanic San Jose students score as proficient, while only 29 percent of Hispanics score at that same high level," said Weis.

Mayor Chuck Reed said it shouldn't be that way.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

"We do not accept the achievement gap. It is not a fact of life. It is not something we have to live with. It is not something we have to accept and say 'there's nothing we can do about it'," said Reed.

The goal to bridge the achievement gap involves a strategy, launched almost two years ago called SJ 2020, to improve lower-end scores by three to four percent each year.

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