<p>It’s a very complicated question. I think if more money was the only answer, I would be the first one to say spend whatever it takes to close the gap, because there are few things more important than making sure the opportunity exists across the socioeconomic levels to better one’s self.</p>
<p>But, I suspect the real problem is the lack of a mandate from parents for their kids to achieve. This factor is demonstrated over and over in the cultural differences between say Asian families and Anglo families. There are exceptions on both sides, but generally Asian families emphasize achievement. Simply graduating is not nearly enough, as it seems to be in many other cultures.</p>
<p>The money needs to be spent in changing this factor, but how to go about doing it has both practical and political problems. </p>
<p>One would think that parents would always want their kids to do better than they did, but sadly too many parents seem to think that their poor status quo is good enough for their kids.</p>