quotes about education and equity
"Even though the United States spends more per pupil than any other developed nation, we compare poorly with other developed countries because our achievement in reading, science, and math has remained stagnant over the last 30 years. Although our per-pupil spending is relatively high, it masks a serious funding gap outside the classroom. In overall social spending, the United States ranks dead last among developed nations. It is not surprising, then, that the United States has the fourth-highest rate of child poverty among developed nations."
~Michael Honda, "Preserving the American Dream" (American Educator 35:1)
"If average levels of income don't matter (at least in relatively rich, developed countries), and spending on high-tech health care doesn't make so much difference, what does? We can't say with certainty, but inequality appears to be a driving force.... Inequality is associated with lower life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, shorter height, poor self-reported health, low birth weight, AIDS, and depression."
~Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger
~Michael Honda, "Preserving the American Dream" (American Educator 35:1)
"If average levels of income don't matter (at least in relatively rich, developed countries), and spending on high-tech health care doesn't make so much difference, what does? We can't say with certainty, but inequality appears to be a driving force.... Inequality is associated with lower life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, shorter height, poor self-reported health, low birth weight, AIDS, and depression."
~Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger