High Achievement for Students of Color

Programs that have been effective in reducing the achievement gap share two common threads: a demanding curriculum and a strong social support system that values and promotes academic achievement. According to Edmund W. Gordon, providing a rigorous educational experience means giving students the chance to study a mainstream, undiluted curriculum with the best possible teachers. Performance improves when all students have the opportunity to learn the same challenging curriculum, marked by high standards and expectations. It is not enough just to teach a rigorous curriculum, however. Attention also must be given to the social environment. Effective programs surround students with evidence that the people they most care about think academic success and effort are important. For elementary students, this means committed parental involvement. For older students, the support network expands toward peer groups and mentors.
http://www.aera.net/uploadedFiles/Journals_and_Publications/Research_Points/RP_Fall-04.pdf