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The learning gap between rich and poor students hasn’t changed in decades

Lowest income students’ learning level is up to four years behind the highest income students

students in a classroom

LAGGING BEHIND Standardized tests in recent decades indicate that the academic achievement of the poorest U.S. students is several years behind that of their wealthier peers.

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By Sujata Gupta

- More than 2 years ago

The average performance of the lowest income students in the United States lags about three to four years behind that of the highest income students — an achievement gap that has remained constant for more than four decades, a new study finds.