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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]No there are things that can be done that may be able to help some kids stay above water and at some point in their life figure out if they want to aspire to the middle class.  That means a much better content rich curriculum than we currently have.  It means better communication from schools to parents. But folks should keep in mind Europe may be a lot less successful at this than one would hope especially in their ethnic enclaves.  Poor kids are healthier in Europe but they are not necessarily better educated or able to get jobs.[/quote]  Can you point to a place that has worked as you suggest?  Where has an urban system with concentrated poverty used an enriched curriculum and better communication to improve schools?[/quote]

Yes the turn of the twentieth century.  [b]Period of intense immigration and poverty.[/b]  There were standardized primers that had a wide range of high quality literature that was used.  It was not perfect but it made a huge difference. E.D. Hirsch makes a good case for this historical precedent in

The Making of Americans: Democracy and Our Schools.

Couple of things to think about- the gap in Math is decreasing, but not in reading.  It is not just teachers.  Most literacy especially at the higher grades is not about decoding it is about connecting ideas.  One of the most consistent gaps we see for poor kids is their exposure to books. [/quote]

I think you've solved your own mystery here.  Give me a population consisting of nothing but recent working-class immigrants from Asia and I'll give you a  massive improvement in schools.  Immigrants have, by definition, many of the underlying social skills required for success and are able to pass them on to their kids.  Fourth generation unemployed mom in the projects, not so much.[/quote]

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