Andre Breaux (Photo by Robert Fogarty)
Dear Clinton is a collection of photographs and letters explaining what public service bridge our students are building. This special collection was produced in partnership with Dear World, an innovative photography venture for social good.
Dear President Clinton,
“Closing the achievement gap” is a phrase that has become identified with a particular style of education reform, which defines achievement mostly in terms of test scores. While I support goals related to accountability, there are other methods of measuring achievement and other challenges that deserve attention. These challenges create stratified levels of opportunity for youth – strata that can be delineated by social class as well as by race. Thus, I would like to rephrase my message as “closing the opportunity gap.”
Closing the opportunity gap involves not only bettering the education system; it involves addressing structural poverty, ensuring equitable access to health care, fighting injustice in the courts, developing vibrant communities, and empowering children for engaged citizenship. One of America’s greatest assets is its diversity bonded in unity. This unity remains cracked, however, by structures that protect power and privilege. Through public service, I hope to repair some of these cracks by building a bridge for youth to walk boldly across the gaps that separate them from equitable opportunity.
Thank you,
Andre
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