McKinsey’s Social Sector Office, here’s a report on The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap on America’s Schools:
The report finds that the underutilization of human potential as reflected in the achievement gap is extremely costly. Existing gaps impose the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession—one substantially larger than the deep recession the country is currently experiencing. For individuals, avoidable shortfalls in academic achievement impose heavy and often tragic consequences via lower earnings, poor health, and higher rates of incarceration.
Agreed. We need programs that change the paradigm for social and entrepreneurial access of children who are experiencing limitations in these areas. This is not a monetary solution at the base. In many instances we need to take children outside of their frame of reference and give them the confidence to initiate the process in the future.