[pa5tabear]

I think you're very wrong about educational funding. There's a high correlation between a schools relative wealth and its relative academic success in each state (mainly tied to property taxes). Yes, I'm sure there are exceptions, and yes there's lots of room for systematic improvement. But more money could absolutely make a difference at the underperforming schools.

[rayiner]

There is in fact very little correlation between school spending per student and performance: http://www.npri.org/publications/analysis-shows-little-to-no....

[TrevorJ]

I'm really curious if this is true, or if there's some correlation =/= causation stuff at play.

[ams6110]

Your hunch is correct. Wealthy areas have a demographic that supports education. When kids have stable homes, with parents who care about them and their education, schools do well.

When kids move three or four times a year, never know if they are going to eat dinner that night, get beaten or ignored at home, have parents on drugs or in and out of jail, it doesn't matter how much money you pour into the schools.

[afarrell]

That sounds like an argument for public boarding schools, which is an idea I totally have never contemplated.

[paulryanrogers]

So if the parents are 'on' pot does that mean we've come full circle?

[robotresearcher]

In states where pot is legalized, parents that smoke it will probably not be in jail.