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Abstract
There is a wide academic achievement gap in the United States. Poor students are amassed on one side and those from higher socioeconomic status homes on the other. The latter tend to come from non-Hispanic White and Asian American ethnic backgrounds. The gap develops during the preK-12 years, continues as decreased high school graduation rates, and persists during the higher education years, resulting in under-enrollment, under-performance, extended time to graduation, and increased financial indebtedness among many students. Here, we discuss educational rigor, SES, and some of the other factors that, when lacking or in low supply, hinder higher education success especially among poor and minority students.