Gaps in academic achievement are a function of a host of factors, such as income and wealth inequality, access to child care and preschool programs, nutrition, physical and emotional health, environmental factors, community and family structures, differences in the quality of instruction and school, and educational attainment. This suggests there are a wide range of public policies that could help narrow educational achievement gaps; this report demonstrates that there are enormous payoffs to closing the gaps through public policies. It also outlines effective public policy strategies to achieve this goal, though their details are left to future research.

During his last campaign, Mr. Romney said Wednesday, he “met folks who had been in poverty from generation to generation. These we have to help escape the tragedy and the trap of chronic generational poverty.” He added: “Restoring American opportunity for all Americans is key to the future of this great land, and it must be done.”