Closing or substantially narrowing achievement gaps requires combining school improvement with reforms to narrow the vast socioeconomic inequalities in the United States. Recognizing the effects of socioeconomic disparities on student learning is not "making excuses" for poor instruction or "letting schools off the hook" for raising student achievement. Teachers are well aware that although all students can learn, some learn less well because of poorer health or less secure homes. Refusing to acknowledge these issues prevents educators from properly diagnosing educational failure where it exists. Modest social and economic reforms--such as ensuring good pediatric care for all students, expanding existing low-income housing subsidy programs to reduce low-income families' mobility, and funding after-school programs--could have a palpable impact on student achievement. (Contains 1 note.)