Unlocking Emergent Talent: Supporting High Achievement of Low-Income, High-Ability Students

Today in America, there are millions of students who are overcoming challenging socioeconomic circumstances to excel academically. They defy the stereotype that poverty precludes high academic performance and that lower-income and low academic achievement are inextricably linked. They demonstrate that economically disadvantaged children can learn at the highest levels and provide hope to other lower-income students seeking to follow the same path. This report discusses new and original research on this extraordinary population of students. The findings come from three federal databases that during the past 20 years have tracked students in elementary and high school, college, and graduate school.