School achievement gap

Former state legislator C.J. Prentiss was in Youngstown this morning calling for a community approach to closing the educational achievement gap for African-American males.

Prentiss, now Special Assistant on Closing the Achievement Gap to Gov. Ted Strickland, met with more than 60 school and community representatives, urging participation in a statewide conference on the issue May 30 in Columbus.

It's an issue that African-American households have been talking about for years, but one that hasn't drawn much mainstream attention, Prentiss said.

Statistics show that poor children are already behind when they come into the educational system, she said, pointing out that tests show they score two years behind their peers from more affluent backgrounds when they enter kindergarten.