A consistent difference in scores on student achievement tests between certain groups of children and children in other groups. The data document a strong association between poverty and students' lack of academic success as measured by achievement tests. And while poverty is not unique to any ethnicity, it does exist in disproportionate rates among African Americans and Hispanics, and among English learners. The reasons behind the achievement gap are multifaceted. They do to some degree stem from factors that children bring with them to school. However, other factors that contribute to the gap stem from students' school experiences.

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