The revisionists main arguments that socials class is the main determinant of school progress and that schools perpetuate inequality are worthy of more serious consideration. One group argues that the schools have relatively little effect on the class structure. For decades social class was thought to be the strongest determinant of school progress, but today social class is probably less important than some other variables. Hauser and Featherman conclude that the importance of class background on educational attainment has declined during the past century. The poorer states are more likely than the richer states to pay above-average incomes to their teachers.
Wealthy suburbs have the finest schools and the best-paid teachers.
In recent years many states have decided or received court orders to revise school financing to reduce such inequalities. Beyond a certain level of facilities and staffing, additional school funding may be unnecessary. Many schools are operating far below this level. More than half of all freshmen fail to complete a degree within five years, while dropout rates in other countries are much lower. Possibly no more than half the high school graduates can read well enough to do college work.