Product Review

Written by an international team of social scientists, this book assesses how social mobility varies in the United States compared with Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It shows that the academic achievement gap between disadvantaged American children and their more advantaged peers is far greater than in other wealthy countries, with serious consequences for their future life outcomes. The authors help us better understand the nature and causes of educational disparities as well as how to reduce them. Contents: Introduction -- The meaning and measurement of equal opportunity -- Resources for children -- Gaps at school entry -- Gaps in the school years -- Diverging progress through school -- What the U.S. can do to reduce the SES gap in achievement.