The richer areas have higher scoring schools because wealth correlates with school scores probably due to a combination of natural ability and a more conducive parental and community environment
True enough.
Richer areas get less state funding than poorer school districts.
Also true.
These districts have to scramble to just narrow the gap rather than have more funding.
The necessity of narrowing the gap is not at all obvious; as you point out, test scores correlate with local wealth. But test scores also correlate with per-pupil spending -- and that correlation is (1) small; and (2) negative. This is easy to explain with the model "poor students attract spending", but you also need the coda "...and it doesn't accomplish much".
They need enough to pay for teachers, administrators, facilities, and the supplemental education that better off folks love: debate, music, sports, speech therapy, early reading help, etc... That extra money has very high return.
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True enough.
Also true.
The necessity of narrowing the gap is not at all obvious; as you point out, test scores correlate with local wealth. But test scores also correlate with per-pupil spending -- and that correlation is (1) small; and (2) negative. This is easy to explain with the model "poor students attract spending", but you also need the coda "...and it doesn't accomplish much".
They need enough to pay for teachers, administrators, facilities, and the supplemental education that better off folks love: debate, music, sports, speech therapy, early reading help, etc... That extra money has very high return.