( CNN ) -- I am the granddaughter of an elementary school cook and a woman who cleaned other people 's homes . Both my grandmothers worked hard and did n't earn much money , but they encouraged their children to get an education . Although starting from limited economic circumstances , my parents both earned a college education and were able to attain a middle-class lifestyle to raise me and my siblings . I , their daughter , went on to receive a Ph.D . Unfortunately , this type of upward mobility is much less likely for the children of maids and school cooks today . A decent job and a decent life should be a possibility for anyone who makes an effort . As a nation , this was more likely in our past than in the present . A college education should be affordable to anyone who is willing to do the work , but that is no longer our reality . As the likelihood of a college degree and economic security becomes less attainable for a significant portion of the population , the future of the United States will be in jeopardy . Late last month , Congress passed a bill that will keep student-loan interest rates from doubling , just days before the deadline . It 's an important step in keeping college affordable , but student-loan interest rates are only one piece in a complex puzzle that shapes how income level and educational opportunity are linked -- and the effects begin years before a student might apply for loans . Even children with proven academic ability fall behind if they grow up in families that are poor . By the age of 3 , one study showed , poor children already have half the vocabulary of higher-income children . Another study showed that children in high-risk social and economic environments can start in the top 25 % academically at the age of 4 but fall to the bottom by the time they are in high school . In a similar example , only 29 % of the highest-achieving eighth-graders complete college if they come from low-income families . In contrast , 30 % of the lowest-achieving eighth-graders and 74 % of the highest-achieving eighth-graders complete college if they come from high-income families . Until we get to a point where ability and effort predictably lead to greater educational attainment and improved outcomes , many kids will stop trying because the obstacles become too daunting . As a social work researcher , I 've shown that race greatly influences economic standing , with children of color being the most likely to be poor and have no assets . Children start out very similarly up until about 2 . Then economic circumstances start to influence outcomes , and children begin to diverge in achievement before they even enter school . These disparities continue even once formal education begins . My research also shows that children with limited economic resources are more likely to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods and face toxic stress that can lead to permanent lowered brain functioning , further limiting educational achievement . Even middle-class families are now concerned that their children will not be able to succeed . Until we provide a pathway of success for all children , regardless of economic standing , it will be hard to sustain a strong and vibrant society and economy . There are proven tools to increase opportunity for children if we have the political will to implement them , things such as universal high-quality preschool and child savings accounts that provide resources to reach long-term goals . Some might think that a child 's educational future is the responsibility of that child 's parents alone . Others believe that enough government money already goes to help poor people . Only 32 % of entitlement benefits and 2.8 % of tax expenditure benefits go to the lowest-income earners . And many programs , such as rental assistance and child care , do n't reach everyone who is eligible . But regardless of what you think about the current mix of government programs , educational outcomes are too tightly linked to parents ' economic status . Many children start out school eager to learn and wanting to achieve . But as it seems that no one cares about their efforts and their basic needs are not being met with each passing grade , they start to become less engaged in school and search for other ways to survive . This is tragic and unacceptable . Others predict that charter schools will reduce achievement gaps . While charter and independent schools do well for some low-income children , their record is still mixed . Consequently , it is nearly impossible to find a low-income area where all schools perform well , whether charter , public or private . Unless we want a `` Waiting for Superman '' society of lotteries and waiting lists for parents seeking a decent education for their child , the ultimate goal is to ensure all schools , no matter how they are organized , provide a quality education . My parents , even as poor black children , could pursue their dreams growing up in the 1960s , when opportunity was expanding for all . Times have changed . As we better understand the way economic circumstances dictate life options , perhaps we will get outraged and demand a nation that helps develop potential rather than allow it to go to waste . Join us at Facebook/CNNOpinion . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Trina R. Shanks .
Upward mobility is much less likely today for working-class children , says Trina R. Shanks . Income level and educational opportunity are linked , and effects begin early , she says . Even children with proven academic ability fall behind if they are poor , says Shanks . Shanks : Our nation must help develop children 's potential rather than let it go to waste .