Abstract
This DIP is a qualitative study to describe how Alaska Native and African American
parents understand the achievement gap as well as their suggestions or solutions for reducing and ending the gap. Seventeen parents were interviewed, from both Alaska Native and African American descent. These interviews took place over the phone due to the current health pandemic, COVID-19. From these interviews, four themes emerged: connection with school staff, diversity in the schools, instructional methods, and parent understanding of the achievement gap. Based on the parent input, solutions were created that could be implemented into the school system. These solutions will take both time and resources; however, this is an urgent educational issue deserving of such attention.
Keywords: culturally-responsive instruction, educational achievement gap, equity, equality, social-emotional learning, urban