<p>ecape, </p>
<p>My D attended a very large public HS that is both racially and economically integrated. Yet the kids from poor backgrounds and non-english speaking homes and the affluent/educated families' kids have completely different outcomes, even though they all go to the same school.</p>
<p>It is probable that the level of expectation is lower for the disadvantaged kids, and that should be changed. And obviously the feeder elementary schools (that have neighborhood boundaries) are less integrated than the HS district, so preparation up to junior high is somewhat unequal. But throwing cash at the situation is not a real answer.</p>
<p>My kids attended a public grammar school with some of the best test scores in the county. It is located in an affluent neighborhood. I do not kid myself that these scores are achieved by dint of better teaching; they are achieved by incredible demographics that include parents with PHds and masters degrees, stimulating preschool experiences (whether home or not), better nutrition and health care, materials-rich home environments, etc. Once when our principal crowed about some test result being in the 93rd percentile, I said, "well, it's all relative; you've got a 98th percentile demographic." </p>
<p>Even in our very top flight school kids who come in as english learners (and there are always a few disadvantaged kids in our grammar school district) have way worse scores-- and they are getting english immersion, high achieveing peers, great teachers, low class sizes, etc. But they begin at such a profound disadvantage and their home support is so much worse that it simply can't be leveled by the school.</p>