With this volume, three equity-minded researchers cut through the sometimes confusing marketplace of school improvement stories to shine new light on what makes odds-beating schools work. The authors show what these schools do and draw on rich research to explain why those schools beat the odds. This practical scholarship can help educational leaders of all stripes understand how to lead for true systemic change on behalf of our nation’s traditionally underserved and most vulnerable students.

Meredith I. Honig, University of Washington, Seattle

In countries across the world, schools struggle to raise the achievements of students from economically poor backgrounds. What this book demonstrates conclusively, however, is that demography need not be destiny. Some schools serving disadvantaged populations can and do beat the odds for their students. In this searching study, Wilcox and her colleagues demonstrate precisely how they do this and how other schools can learn from their work. Their findings have major implications for school leaders and policy makers in the US - but also in many other countries where educational equity is an issue.

D.Alan Dyson, University of Manchester, England

The researchers provide not only exemplars of odds-beating schools during implementation of the Common Core but also inspiration to educators in schools with high percentages of disadvantaged students. This new research delivers an impactful resource that can be leveraged to bring clarity to efforts to ensure equitable learning opportunities and possibilities for success for diverse learning populations.

David W. Ziskin, Superintendent of Schools, Fort Plain Central School District