In this post:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/walt_gardners_reality_check/2013/12/income_distribution_and_school_outcomes.html
Walt Gardner presupposes that education will be holistically better for all students as well as the future of the economy if we allow for greater income distribution. His overarching argument is, "Study after study has shown a strong link between student poverty and student performance."
This I believe is a bridge too far. The supposition that money will remedy the education gap assumes that actual dollars in a persons pocket will lead to stronger test scores. At it's core the American dollar does not impact educational preparation and attainment, rather, family values do. An individuals family values; time spent with children, accent on reading, a focus on learning, etc... are what prepare our children to enter into school ready to learn. I don't think that it is a stretch for anyone to believe that simply providing people with a better income will NOT create greater family values.
The issue, as I see it is, politicians cannot ridicule mothers and fathers in fear of losing their vote. Therefore, we create scapegoats to place blame on. Quite often, in today's political arena, that scapegoat is income distribution. Until, we as a society want to seriously look at the underlying issues that impact us negatively we will continue to offer up sacrifices of misguided scapegoats. And in the end, sadly, our children are the ones that we are indirectly sacrificing...
