This article examines historical context shaping the achievement gap while considering school choice. Students in low performing districts are often labeled as unmotivated or not achievement oriented. These assertions are upheld by citing attendance rates, graduation rates, and achievement data. This research article demonstrates that a sample of students in a low performing district has similarly aligned attitudes and self-reported behaviors related to achievement and success as a neighboring affluent district. Differences appear when students reflect upon safety and resources. This article demonstrates that public education works when the right resources are in place; so why push minorities out of their neighborhood schools toward charters and magnets rather than bolster and make equitable the existing system?

中文翻译：

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摇摇欲坠的墙壁、剥落的油漆和高成就取向：替代事实还是真相？

本文在考虑学校选择的同时，考察了塑造成就差距的历史背景。低绩效地区的学生通常被贴上缺乏动力或不以成就为导向的标签。通过引用出勤率、毕业率和成就数据来支持这些断言。这篇研究文章表明，与邻近富裕地区相比，低绩效地区的学生样本与成就和成功相关的态度和自我报告行为类似。当学生反思安​​全和资源时，差异就会出现。这篇文章表明，只要有合适的资源，公共教育就会奏效；那么，为什么要将少数族裔从他们的社区学校推向特许和磁铁，而不是支持和使现有系统公平呢？