The American school system and student population remain segregated, by race and by class. The inequalities that exist in schools today are not just the result of poorly managed schools; they reflect the racial and socioeconomic inequalities of society as a whole. Most of the schools' problems boil down to either racism inside and outside of school or financial disparities between rich and poor school districts. Because schools receive funding from local property taxes, low-income communities start out economically disadvantaged. Less funding means fewer resources, lower quality teaching and programs, and little or no community involvement. Even when low-income schools are able to find adequate funding, money does not solve all of the school's problems. Most importantly, money cannot influence the perceptions of students, parents, teachers, and administrators regarding class and race. Nor can money improve test scores or make education relevant and practical in the lives of minority students. School funding is systemically unequal, in part because the majority of school funding comes from local school district property taxes, placing poorer communities at the bottom of the heap. the educational playing field. A student's socioeconomic status often defines their success in the classroom for several reasons. Students who live below the poverty line are less motivated to succeed and their parents are less likely to participate in their children's education, often because they cannot provide for their children. While it makes sense that school districts in poorer communities can't raise as much money as wealthier communities, people stuck in these low-income communities often pay higher taxes, and their school continues to pay...... middle of paper.... ..as part of a program to improve 5% of the country's worst-performing schools. This grant represents an attempt to reform and create opportunities for disadvantaged students. However, Roosevelt's grant guarantees nothing except additional federal funding and more pressure to improve test scores. I believe Roosevelt will have a hard time improving his test scores without first incentivizing his students to graduate and attempt to attend college. Fixing problem schools like Roosevelt's requires more than multimillion-dollar grants. The government will demand that Roosevelt improve standardized test scores and prevent students from dropping out. The school's curriculum will necessarily focus on standardized test scores, rather than helping students learn the skills that will improve their chances in college and the job market..