Jack O'Connell Gap Quotations

Our students can't afford to miss school. Our schools can't afford missing students. And our state can't afford to rest for one day until we close the gap in achievement that threatens the futures of many immigrant children.

The fact that more than half of our students have not yet achieved proficiency on the state's content standards, and that a wide achievement gap continues, shows how much work still needs to be done,

I'm particularly concerned about African-American students and English language learners. The answer is not to ignore the achievement gap by giving diplomas to unprepared students.