African-American, Latino, Southeast Asian and low-income students are performing at alarmingly lower education levels than their white and Asian counterparts. It is an
educational crisis in our area.

If these students don't achieve, don't perform and don't go on to college, local economists predict the Sacramento economy won't have enough educated and skilled workers to run our companies, staff our hospitals and teach our children.

News10 has reported extensively on this educational crisis and we are committed to helping close the achievement gap.

In October 2008, News10's Dana Howard co-founded a non-profit called Closing the Gap, dedicated to funding organizations targeting the achievement gap.

This school year, News10's Student Scholar is focusing on students who are helping close the academic achievement gap. To be highlighted as a Student Scholar on News10, the new criteria is listed to the left.

You do not have to be a minority student to qualify. You do, however, have to be active in closing the gap, whether that means pulling yourself up and out; or helping others who fall into the gap. Please take a moment to nominate an outstanding student who is helping close the achievement gap as a News10 Student Scholar.