Peter W. Cookson, Jr., is a Principal Investigator for the American Voices Project based at Stanford University and a nationally recognized sociologist of education. He has written widely on social inequality, the causes and consequences of poverty and deep poverty, and the role of education in strengthening democracy. His current work focuses on policies and practices that ensure success for students living in deep poverty. Cookson previously served as Senior Researcher at the Learning Policy Institute, where he also co-led the Equitable Resources and Access team. He is a Fellow with the National Education Policy Center and a sought after speaker. Cookson is the author of Sacred Trust: A Children’s Education Bill of Rights, Class Rules: Exposing Inequality in American High Schools, and Hearts on Fire: Stories of Today’s Visionaries Igniting Idealism into Action with Jill Iscol, among other publications.