Here the question is whether growing up in a poor neighborhood imposes any additional handicaps. The answer is yes. - Robert D. Putnam

The U.S. educational system cannot be the sole cause of the waning educational stature of the U.S.

Allan McBride showed in a careful content analysis of the most popular TV programs that “television programs erode social and political capital by concentrating on characters and stories that portray a way of life that weakens group attachments and social/political commitment.” Television purveys a disarmingly direct and personal view of world events in a setting dominated by entertainment values. Television privileges personalities over issues and communities of interest over communities of place. In sum, television viewing may be so strongly linked to civic disengagement because of the psychological impact of the medium itself.54

Stressful conditions from outside school are much more likely to intrude into the classroom in high poverty schools. Every one of ten stressors is two to three times more common in high poverty schools — Student hunger, unstable housing, lack of medical and dental care, caring for family members, immigration issues, community violence and safety issues.