- There was a significant difference in performance on the MCAS between low and high income groups in both Math and English/Language Arts. 
- 47% of lower income students, or students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, scored proficient or above, compared with 77% of higher-income students, or students not receiving free or reduced-price lunches


Correlation of cortical gray matter with the income-achievement gap results: MCAS scores

- Cortical gray-matter volume was found to be significantly higher in the higher-income group compared to the lower-income group.
- Across both hemispheres of the brain, cortical thickness values were found to be greater in higher-income students compared to lower-income students


Correlation of cortical gray matter with the income-achievement gap results: Cortical gray matter


Cortical thickness in the clusters found to correlate with MCAS performance could account for as much as 44% of the income-achievement gap present in the sample that was studied.

Barnard College

- A study found that cortical grey matter was significantly greater in students with higher-income backgrounds when compared to students with lower-income backgrounds. 
- Cortical thickness was found to be greater across many lobes of the brain in students with higher-income backgrounds when compared to students with lower-income backgrounds
- Greater cortical thickness was found to be associated with better test performance. 


Correlations of cortical grey matter with the income achievement gap

Mackey A. P., Finn A. S., Leonard J. A., Jacoby-Senghor D. S., West M. R., Gabrieli C. F. O., et al. . (2015). Neuroanatomical correlates of the income-achievement gap. Psychol. Sci. 26, 925–933. 10.1177/0956797615572233

Neuroanatomical correlates of the income achievement gap

- Participants
- Income groups 
- Standardized test scores
- Neuroimaging-data acquisition
- Structural-imaging analyses 

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