[mbynack]

Studies have shown that there is very little correlation between per-pupil spending and student achievement. There are some exceptions, like a computer training center should have computers, but kids in a one-room schoolhouse with an underpaid teacher can learn as well as kids in a multimillion dollar school with the highest paid teachers in the state.

One of the keys to learning success is the involvement and attitudes of the parents toward education. If the parent is telling the student that education is meaningless and is unwilling to help them with their homework, it's going to be a lot tougher on the student.

[Amerigomag]

If the parent .... is unwilling to help them with their homework, it's going to be a lot tougher on the student.

Help, hell. The modal California parent is a Mexican national or an anchor baby who couldn't help their child with their homework if they wanted to. They can barely read or write Spanish or English, and if they're lucky they have the equivalent of a third grade education.