The term "attainment gap" refers to the difference in educational achievement between different groups or individuals. It is often used to describe the disparity in academic performance between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and their more affluent peers. The attainment gap can be influenced by factors such as socio-economic status, race, gender, and family income, among others. Closing this gap is an important goal for education policy makers, who aim to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed in school and beyond.