An increasing number of school districts and charter networks are trying to break up concentrated poverty and balance their student populations by race and income.
Acting US Secretary of Education John King recently apologized to educators, saying they have been unfairly blamed for some of the country's education woes. King says he is seeking to reset the administration's relationship with teachers.
South Africa is investing more money in nursery schools. But, with the economic challenges the country faces, it's hard to determine whether these programmes will eventually be successful.