Harvard University Lecturer Dr. Ronald Ferguson presented “High Achievement Parenting,” an interactive session for parents on what they can do to help close the achievement gap, on Monday, Aug. 18.
“Dr. Ferguson is a distinguished leader in research on racial achievement gaps and has extensive experience working with school districts on closing achievement gaps,” said Superintendent Art Jarvis. “We are pleased he is able to meet with our families and teachers as part of our efforts to reduce the achievement gap in Tacoma.”
The district brought Dr. Ferguson, who is the creator and director of the Tripod Project for School Improvement and faculty co-chair and director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, to Tacoma as part of its work to reduce the achievement gap and increase academic performance. He worked with teachers during the day on Aug. 18 and parents at night.
“My evening session is aimed at parents, particularly parents of children of color,” said Ferguson. “We’ll be talking about things parents can do at home to support their children.”
Ferguson started the evening by giving a broad overview of achievement issues nationwide. He then focused on parenting practices, including racial differences and parenting practices in research, and what we are learning about ways parenting practices affect achievement outcomes.
Contact the Public Information Office at 253.571.1015 for more information on this important event.
Biography of Dr. Ronald Ferguson:
Dr. Ferguson is a lecturer in Public Policy, an economist and a senior research associate at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard University. Much of his research since the mid-1990s has focused on racial achievement gaps. He participates in a variety of consulting and policy advisory activities, including work with school districts on closing achievement gaps. Ferguson is the creator and director of the Tripod Project for School Improvement and is faculty co-chair and director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University.