Young people increasingly need an education that prepares them for our rapidly changing world, enabling them to deeply understand academic content, think critically and solve complex problems, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and learn how to learn continuously. This "deeper learning"--once offered to the small share of students presumed to be preparing for thinking work-- is now a requirement for all. Yet the journey to deeper learning is a challenging one in the inequitable school system we have inherited in the United States. Compounding the barriers are the many other sources of inequality in our society: dramatic income inequalities, high rates of childhood poverty, and unequal school funding and access to resources of all kinds. This brief describes the key civil rights foundations that have been--and continue to be--essential to paving a path toward possibilities for deeper learning for all: those that secure safe communities, adequate school resources, inclusive environments, well-prepared teachers, and access to quality curriculum. It identifies the evidence-based policies and practices that can ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education focused on meaningful learning. [The brief is written with Eliza Byard. The book on which this brief is based is "The Civil Rights Road to Deeper Learning: Five Essentials for Equity. Multicultural Education Series" (ED622607).]