Poverty exerts a strong influence on how well a child does in school.
The existence of a gap can no longer be disputed, and Fayette County school officials say they are not ignoring it. Indeed, programs, money and other resources are aimed at the problem. Now the challenge is more about effectiveness and follow through. How a child does in school depends on a wide array of variables, some of which are far beyond the reach of any teacher or school district. It's no coincidence that the gaps found in district test scores mirror the inequalities found in Lexington and society as a whole.