Education is largely funded at the state and local level. That means that poorer school systems have less money to put into their schools and poorer states also have fewer funds available. It also means that you can have a tremendous inequity within a state between affluent suburban school systems and poorer rural school systems. But, honestly, good teachers can make a huge difference no matter how much money is available within the schools. The single factor that makes the biggest difference is the family's attitude toward education. If the parents encourage and support their kids, read to them early on, provide access to books, supervise homework and stay connected to the schools, their children are more likely to do well in school and be successful. And that parental attitude is something that can't be purchased for any amount of money.