'...and the schools need to figure out how they can serve these families'

Really? My parents always asked, "How can we best serve the school?" Completely different approach. This mentality is a symptom of the gap; it feeds it and allows it to grow. It assumes and encourages helplessness. Sitting back and expecting the school to serve you and your family is not the answer. Communicating that message to parents is counterproductive.

Creating a culture and instilling the belief in your kids that school is a respected and valuable institution, worthy of your attention and service...now that is the answer.

What else can the school do for me? Free bus tickets. Check. Free breakfast. Check. Free lunch. Check. Free cab rides to meetings and conferences. Check. Sponsorship and the waiving of fees for all extra events and field trips. Check. School supplies. Check. Coat and backpack. Check. Outreach meetings in the neighborhood where I live. Check. Teachers and other staff available for a conference about my child. Check. Individual academic interventions and valuable suggestions for structure at home. Check.

Someone paint a clearer picture of how we should expect our schools to serve families and still complete all other charges we give to them.