School-university partnerships for closing the achievement gap: ethical concerns

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, the historical phases of the school-university partnership movement and its potential for closing the achievement gap is described. Second, is to have schools and universities recognize their ethical obligation to act as partners in meeting this challenge, and subsequently to develop partnership relationships from a stronger ethical base and with a clearer sense of the ramifications that can occur if there is failure to close the achievement gap. Third, is to promote a more holistic, ethical and comprehensive approach to partnerships that includes teacher education as a key player. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on information gleaned from existing literature and the author's own experience. Findings - The ethical ramifications of schools and universities (included here is teacher education) failing to join forces as partners to respond to the need to close the achievement gap and ensure a quality education for all forecast a rather disturbing view of people as educators in a democratic society. Originality/value - Gives in-depth views on existing links between primary, secondary and higher education and will be of interest to those in the field.