The educational achievement gap between White students and African American students has been evident ever since the Equality of Education Opportunity report was released in 1966. This study provided evidence that students from their respective socioeconomic and racial backgrounds were not reaching the same educational benchmarks. The National Assessment of Educational Progress provides annual reports that help to analyze the gap and its effects year over year. Recent results indicate that while the gap has certainly decreased since the original report, it has unfortunately been a slow-moving process.

The reaction to these findings should not be surrender – it should be an intensified drive to close this achievement gap in the education system. If there is anything we can learn from slow pace at which the gap has closed over the past 50 years, it’s that forming policy and focusing spending needs to be paired with a dedicated focus on the students themselves if we want to see change. Here are 5 ways you can start:

1. Call your representatives and voice your concernsIn December of 2015, President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act, which served to replace the outdated No Child Left Behind Act. This bill narrowed the federal government’s role in elementary and secondary education. This means that the power and responsibility now lie more with us – through state and local government – to stress the importance of closing the achievement gap.

2. Make closing the achievement gap a district priorityThe public-school system can be a tricky road to navigate, but it becomes easier when you have the support of higher ranking officials. It’s important to build a relationship with teachers, but it’s just as important to make your voice heard among those who have the power to prioritize issues and put policies into place.

3. Ensure that teachers are utilizing rigorous curriculumStudies have shown that when educators teach at higher levels, students learn at higher levels. There is often more focus on ensuring that students don’t fall through the cracks than providing a complete education. However, by emphasizing basic skills that increase comprehension, students are inherently more likely to succeed.

4. Seek adequate and equitable fundingOne of the most difficult pieces of providing students with a valuable education is finding enough money to do so. The current political and economic climate is worrisome, as it’s becoming clear to funding public education will not be a priority. When budget cuts come knocking, make it clear to public officials that defunding our public education system will not be tolerated. In addition, try suggesting and participating in more fundraising events for local schools.

5. Build the connection between school and homeOne of the most important ways to help close the achievement gap is making sure that parents, schools, and communities at large are all on the same page. All parties need to understand the importance of creating an equal opportunity for students to succeed – the responsibility should never lie with one person or group. It’s been proven that parent involvement has a strong, direct impact on student achievement.

It’s essential to utilize these tactics and become active participants in students’ lives if we are to close the achievement gap in a more timely manner. Let’s take the necessary steps to ensure that every child receives an education that will propel them into colleges and universities.