opportunity gap
Last updatedWhat to know
Opportunity gap refers to the circumstances in which people are born over which they have no control (e.g., race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, zip code) that impact their opportunities in life.
“Achievement gap” was previously the more commonly used term, but some scholars and teachers consider it stigmatizing and potentially racist, as it shifts the blame from broader societal structures to individuals, particularly people of color (LGBTQ+ individuals are also likely to face challenges in this regard). Historically, so-called “achievement gaps” have been tied closely to standardized testing in the United States, especially considering the fact that such testing had early ties to the eugenics movement.
Using terms like “opportunity gap” instead can draw attention to the systemic disparities that underserved populations face, such as access to tutoring, test prep, and extracurricular activities, and shifts dialogue away from blaming children for their life circumstances.
Additional resources
- Why We Say “Opportunity Gap” Instead of “Achievement Gap” (Teach For America)
- Opportunity Gap – Talking Points (Schott Foundation)
- Achievement Gap Definition (Glossary of Education Reform)
- What Is the Achievement Gap (and Can Quality Pre-K Help)? (Rasmussen)
- Why the Academic Achievement Gap is a Racist Idea (African American Intellectual History Society)
- The Racist Beginnings of Standardized Testing (National Education Association)
- The History of the SAT Is Mired in Racism and Elitism (Teen Vogue)
- Does ‘the Achievement Gap’ Evoke a Negative Stereotype? What the Research Says (Opinion) (Education Week)
- The LGBT Achievement Gap Needs to Get Out of the Closet (HuffPost)
Summary
Opportunity gap refers to the circumstances in which people are born over which they have no control (e.g., race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, zip code) that impact their opportunities in life. Using terms like “opportunity gap” instead of “achievement gap” can draw attention to the systemic disparities that underserved communities face, and shifts dialogue away from blaming children for their life circumstances.