An educational doctorate (EdD) graduate of National Louis University in Chicago, IL, Matthew Eriksen served as the principal of North Shore School District 112 for nine years. During his time at the school in Highland, IL, he provided executive-level leadership for all business activities and programs, which included strategic planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement. This background and experience motivated Matthew Eriksen to look into other issues that needed attention, such as achievement gaps.

Achievement gaps are significant or persistent inequalities in learning in terms of academic performance or educational accomplishment. The National Education Association classifies achievement gaps according to groups: boys and girls, English language learners, students from racial and ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, and students who come from families with low incomes.

These groups may overlap, but generally, a closer look tells how the background of the students affects their achievement levels. Educators and advocates for closing achievement gaps take steps to remedy the situations. For example, some school districts provide free lunches to students to make sure everyone receives at least one nutritious meal a day.