Somer and Pgard,
I have also noted that kids in school who come from money or are well dressed receive more attention by the teachers and put into higher learning groups.
They take the kids who aren't from cash and assume they aren't bright.
A friend of mine who was a single mom had a child who was very bright and he wasn't put into proper accelerated classes.
She couldnt get the teacher to change it.
So I went in and posed as her boyfriend, and you know how subtle I am and willing to back down.
I basically told her if she didn't have the kid tested for the accelerated classes that I would go all the way to the superintendent of the district and make her life as miserable as I possibly could. I smiled as i said this and then explained to her that I had both the perseverance and time to do just that and wouldn't stop until she had regretted entering the teaching profession.
Kid was tested again, and miraculously he suddenly belonged in the accelerated program.