School is supposed to be the great equalizer in America, though we know it often doesn't work as it should. In fact, when it comes to understanding schools and inequality, especially in K-12 schools, the more common view is that American schools actually increase inequality. This assumption has become such a strongly held belief in our society that our schools (especially poor ones) have become a punching bag for political candidates, pundits, and concerned citizens. In this book, Douglas B. Downey puts these widespread ideas to the test, finding that the numbers offer an important corrective to our understanding of schools' effects on inequality. Schools do not exacerbate inequality, Downey shows-they actually help to level the playing field. Achievement gaps in math and reading skills ar
