Whether used as code for “low income” or “underprivileged” or as a proxy for affirmative action, the label comes with assumptions: that the student’s parents have little or no experience navigating the academic, financial and cultural barriers to higher education, including an application process that stymies even the most savvy parent.

The student had grown up in a household with little money and where college had never been discussed.

My mom didn’t ask outright what grade I earned — she eventually stopped asking about assignments altogether

Before the other families left, we carefully watched them — they knew what they were doing

But most of the tasks we encounter are only really suited to one type of learning.

In the course of watching 9,000 different classes, he noticed that only some teachers were able to reach each and every one of their students