Closing persistent gaps in educational outcomes between different groups of students has been a central goal of educational policy for the past forty years. The commitment to close existing achievement gaps poses an unprecedented challenge to policy makers, school leaders, and teachers alike, since the causes of those gaps are multiple and complex. For that reason, no single set of policy prescriptions no matter how well crafted and managed is likely to be successful.

While there is no ready road map for policy makers, the press for solutions is acute. This timely and thoughtful book provides multiple perspectives on closing achievement gaps. The chapters examine the conditions both in and out of school that lead to achievement gaps. However, this book also explores measures for addressing these gaps measures that, individually and in concert, will prove crucial to any meaningful effort to alleviate these profound disparities.