What we have come to understand, however, is that being confronted with achievement and opportunity gaps is not enough to ensure action to close them.  There is a pervasive and powerful mythology that no matter what schools do, children from low-income families can’t learn up to high standards.  The myth has become a self-fulfilling prophecy: Schools educating the highest concentrations of low-income students and students of color get less than their fair share of every important resource – especially experienced and knowledgeable teachers.  The reality is that all students can learn to high standards when taught to high standards by highly qualified teachers. 

The mission of our data and policy work is to confront the myth that schools are powerless to close achievement gaps with the data and research -- and concrete examples -- that prove that schools can teach all children. There are examples all over the country of schools, districts and whole states that have made great gains in closing achievement gaps while raising the achievement of all students.  This progress has been supported through deliberate policy choices.  We seek to advance these policies at the federal and state levels and shine a light on the policies that have shown success and encourage others to follow their lead.