Elizabeth A. City helps educators advance learning for all students through strategy, leadership development, and improvement practices. Liz has served in many roles, including teacher, principal, instructional coach, and consultant. She is currently director of the Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) Program and lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE).

Richard J. Murnane, an economist, is The Thompson Professor of Education and Society at HGSE and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. In recent years he has pursued two lines of research. One examines how computer-based technological change has affected skill demands in the U.S. economy, and the other explores how growth in family income inequality in the United States has affected educational opportunities for children from low-income families and the effectiveness of alternative strategies for improving life chances for these children.

"The book is well organized and would serve as a great tool for school and district improvement teams. Of special interest to superintendents is the chapter devoted to the role of the central office in becoming data wise." -- School Administrator

"For any team of educators needing to implement a coherent instructional plan, to identify the learning needs of every student, and to meet those needs, this book will be very helpful. The reviewer believes that if the goal of a school is to review student assessment results to improve teaching and learning, following this book would be beneficial." -- Education Review