"Minority GPAs reflect lack of preparation" (Daily Kent Stater, 02/10/09)

As more minority students continue to graduate from high school, their presence in colleges across the country has increased during the last three decades. But these rising numbers have not been reflected by their college grades.

"Palo Alto superintendent: Achievement gap can't be eliminated" (Mercury News, 02/02/09)

When it comes to closing the achievement gap, Palo Alto schools Superintendent Kevin Skelly says educators are deluding themselves. And he dares to say what's become almost unspeakable publicly:

"It's just not possible for the average kid who comes to this country in seventh or eighth grade, or even third grade, without a word of English and parents with little formal education, to match the achievement levels of kids whose mom has a Ph.D. in English from Stanford and can afford to stay home and spend time supplementing the education of her kids."