My experience as a Maryland taxpayer is Baltimore City spends far more tax dollars per student than any school district in the state. And has for many years. They also have more documented, charged, corruption than any school district in the state. And regarding standardized testing...
"BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore City Public Schools is among the highest funded large school districts in the country. On average, it receives nearly $16,000 per student, per year. Yet, it’s also one of the lowest-performing. Compared to similarly-sized urban school systems, Baltimore places near the bottom for student proficiencies in math and reading.
[...]
One of the most alarming findings came in January, when a Baltimore City teacher came forward with information, showing more than 75% of students tested at one high school are reading and doing math at an elementary school level."
I have yet to hear any conservative advocate for more balanced education funding between school districts, more unified national standards for education, lowering tuition costs for public colleges or any other policy that suggests an "equality of opportunity" with regard to education.
Instead, I tend to hear policies that advocate inequality of opportunity, such as favoring parents who want to and can afford the time to homeschool.
Maybe I'm missing some, so please correct me.
> consider outcomes largely depend on the individual, their motivation, and luck.
Thanks for acknowledging "luck". Too many people refuse to.