If I recall correctly, the author of Freakonomics said something similar. I’ll admit it’s been a while since I read the book, but just going from memory he said the 3 biggest factors influencing a child’s chances of success were:
1: Marital status of the parents.
2: Education level of the parents.
3: Age of the mother when she had her first child (with children of mothers who first gave birth after the age of 24 being more likely to succeed).
The Great Society has been a huge liberal success.
Raised the black illegitimacy rate from under 20% to over 70% in two generations.
Our fundamental problem is not public schools, it’s the breakdown of the family structure.
These authors also contend that Roe v. Wade had the effect of reducing crime a generation later.
With some reluctance, I take their point.