Does the Achievement Gap exist in more areas than academics?

I am sure we all are familiar with how prevalent the achievement gap is within the black community. This achievement gap has been in existence for decades and seems to be getting worst.  The disadvantage youth in the urban community lack resources, adequate buildings, competent teachers, involved parents, and intrinsic motivation.  These variables are all factors of a sub-par education our kids are given.  Ironically, the gap in academics is not the only area our kids are at a disadvantage.

Many critics tend to focus on academics in reference to the achievement gap but there is a wide gap in various capacities between the suburban white kid and the urban black kid.  There are differences in the quality of education, cultural experiences, and exposure to the arts, and social awareness. The cultural experience is a category that our urban students are at a great disadvantage.  Our students are not exposed to other cultures or indulged in societies that are not their own.  Many students in urban communities seem to never stray too far from their immediate area. Our kids only get a chance to see the urban community in which they grow up and develop this warped view of the world.  As a KIPP teacher, our students take an end of the year field lessons from the 5^Th grade through the 8^Th grade.  Our students travel to multiple states to experience the different cultures and view various landmarks in that state.  Fortunately, these KIPP students are able to experience a completely different world for at minimum four days which can be a life changing experience.  During the field lessons, our students visit other KIPP schools in the visited states and interact with the students and staff.  Also, many of the art programs are being cut because of funding and academic focus.  This does our kids a great disservice because some kids thrive in those programs, being successful in one of the arts programs can potentially motivate that student in other aspects of their studies.  The idea of multiple intelligences is an idea that I feel strongly about.  I believe kids are intelligent in multiple and in uncommon areas.  There is research to show it, I read an article that highlighted an autistic student that was very much musically inclined.  He could pick up any instrument and play but his academics was sub-par.  Let's just say this autistic student was very artistic.  We have to embrace all of our students with open arms and harness their abilities.

 I’m sure many of you will say that this is not in the budget but there are fundraisers, grants and sponsors. I believe that is a necessity to expose our students to things outside of their urban community.  I urged for additional funding to be given to start and maintain art programs.  These bottoms can do a great deed for our children and our communities. The bottom line is that the achievement gap extends beyond academics and it is visible in all classrooms throughout the city.