Central-City Schooling: Money Can Make a Difference.

Urban school systems are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the extensive educational needs of their students, many of whom are from poverty backgrounds. By all statistical measures, the cities have far more than their share of economically disadvantaged pupils. Because of urban poverty, many of these students are not prepared to learn, they progress slowly in school, and they often suffer impaired health. Many come from foreign language backgrounds or are handicapped and need special attention. These negative factors then become manifested in students' inability to achieve basic skills or in their becoming underachievers. Money, however, can make a difference by focusing on those educational areas where students are weak and where they can benefit from enriched programs and more teachers. The growing disparity in educational offerings between poor cities and affluent suburbs must be ended by an infusion of funds. (Author/WP)