Jonathan Kozol Quote

The report by the Community Service Society cites an official of the New York City Board of Education who remarks that there is no point in putting further money into some poor districts because, in his belief, new teachers would not stay there. But the report observes that, in an instance where beginning teacher salaries were raised by nearly half, that problem largely disappeared—another interesting reminder of the difference money makes when we are willing to invest it. Nonetheless, says the report, the perception that the poorest districts are beyond help still remains.… Perhaps the worst result of such beliefs, says the report, is the message that resources would be wasted on poor children. This message trickles down to districts, schools, and classrooms. Children hear and understand this theme—they are poor investments—and behave accordingly. If society’s resources would be wasted on their destinies, perhaps their own determination would be wasted too. Expectations are a powerful force …, the CSS observes.