I just saw an interview with Michelle Rhee, who was the chancellor for Washington DC public schools. A very well respected neurologist argued that children who are rarely read to, and are not cultivated academically by their environment are already behind, and are not capable of learning at the same level as others. Although some people believe ths statement to be false, and altruistically want to believe everyone can learn at the same rate, this is simply not the case. There is a reason why those that already see the value of education have children that are also very intelligent. They realized how crucial the critical period was, and actively stimulated their children's brains. Children who are not used to using their brains will not just magically be able use them in a critical manner. As we get older, and school gets harder, this practice is even more esential. Some kids learn to love knowledge with no help from there neighborhoods, and others have always been stimulated as a result of their environments. in short, some teachers believe that failing schools are the product of horrible neighborhoods, but I believe that failing neighborhoods are the result of years of failing schools.