Nationwide -- and in Columbia -- there are significant disparities in test scores among students from various racial and socio-economic groups. But with more children growing up in poverty and with statewide cuts in funding for programslike Parents as Teachers, addressing this "achievement gap" is becoming more difficult. What does the achievement gap mean for us as a community? Why is it such a difficult thing to tackle? And what actually works in getting all students closer to the same level of academic proficiency?

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Panelists:
Wanda Brown, assistant superintendent for secondary education, Columbia Public Schools
Sally Beth Lyon, chief academic officer, Columbia Public Schools

Joining the program by phone:
Chris Guinther, president, Missouri National Education Association
Cathy Koelher, president, Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association
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The "Twilight" books and films have engrossed fans of all ages with their romantic portrayal of high school student Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. But what do the popularity and media coverage of the series say about our culture? And what effect is the central story having on its legion of female fans?

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Panelists:
Jennifer Aubrey and Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, University of Missouri assistant professors and co-editors (along with Melissa Click) of the book “Bitten by Twilight: Youth Culture, Media and the Vampire Franchise.”
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Across the nation people are worried about the future of classical music and its ability to draw audiences and sell tickets. And in Columbia, the classical music scene certainly has its share of uncertainty. Today on Intersection we ask: "Can classical music survive and thrive in Columbia and mid-Missouri?"

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Panelists:
Alex Innecco, music director at Missouri United Methodist Church, director of the Columbia Chorale, and co-director of Carpe Diem.
Robert Shay, director of the MU School of Music
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Missouri voters are among the first in the nation to voice their opinion about recently passed federal health care legislation. Proposition C, on the ballot Tuesday, seeks to challenge the federal mandate that all citizens must have health insurance by 2014 or face fines. But what impact might the referendum have with regard to the health insurance system overall? And what differences can Missourians expect to see in their health care coverage whether or not the referendum succeeds?

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Panelists:
Karen Edison, director, Center for Health Policy at MU and chair of the Department of Dermatology
Travis Ford, communications director, Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Profession Registration
Amy Smoucha, health care organizer, Missouri Jobs With Justice
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