I first started researching inequities in education in my pre-kid days. Now that I’m a parent, I see it even more clearly.

Jonah is taking a SAT prep class this summer. We can afford it. I am home and available for the chauffeur duties. It’s his only job this summer. And in two weeks, his scores have jumped up enormously. Because the SATs, like all school tests, are a game. Doing well is 50% knowing the material and 50% knowing the “rules.”

Ian is in a fancy camp for high functioning autistic kids. It’s a full day program where they foster social skills, while swimming and going to museums and taking art class. In two weeks, he’s improved a lot. Probably about half the parents are paying for the camp out-of-pocket. The other half live in wealthy school districts that pay for the camp.

I’m thrilled that my boys are doing so well, but there is a layer of guilt in there.