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Wealthy districts in California are beginning to levy so-called "parcel taxes," or flat fees on property, to offset big budget shortfalls. Meanwhile, poorer districts have few or no options for raising extra money, and so the gap between rich and poor grows at the worst possible time.

I don't mean to begrudge the wealthier districts their will to shore up school budgets in lean times. As one school board member in a wealthy district told the Wall Street Journal, "We're very, very fortunate that our community is supportive of our schools."

Still, the growing disparity reminds us that the poorest schools are often most vulnerable to economic shocks. They receive a double blow. Rising homelessness, hunger and student mobility intensify students' needs. Poverty limits schools' ability to address those needs.