Poverty and Schools

[Monica Biswas]

Hello All-
We have a vibrant discussion on the topic:  Poverty and Schools;  I'm 
including your responses in the form of two digests. 

As many of you have illustrated in your comments, poverty impacts the 
resources available to help young people succeed in schools.  Can we also 
explore the intersection between poverty/schools and technology?  What are 
innovative ways technology can support young people as they aspire and 
achieve in education?  As educators, what strategies have you used to 
advocate for the youth in your communities? 

Looking forward to your responses! 
-Monica

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Message 1:
From: "tutormentor1 at earthlink.net" <tutormentor1 at earthlink.net>

Paul,

Well said.  I think it is important to note that we're not saying that 
everyone who lives in poverty needs the type of support systems we're 
describing. What we're saying is that we need better information, 
available to all, so that we know where help is most needed.  Since 1996 
the Chicago media have been running headlines at various  times that shout 
about schools on probation, on warning lists, etc.  Just today I read a 
story that said the drop out rate was down to under 15%.  Well, that is 
missinformation. This city has over 400 schools.  Unless you use a gap and 
show the various performance levels, with an overlay showing poverty, you 
will not get a targeted understanding that shows that some neighborhoods 
have schools that need extra help and others don't.

When the information is available, anyone can make better decisions on 
what needs to be done, and what involvement they want to take.  Our goal 
is to connect our web sites with those of  hundreds of other organizations 
throughout the world in an organized blueprint that makes it easier for 
anyone to understand the many choices they have in helping kids go from 
birth to age 25 with as much success and safety as possible. As they 
connect back to us and each other, we'll create greatly increased traffic 
in this web network and hopefully get more donors, polititians and key 
decision-makers personally involved.

I'd like to remind you all that on June 5th and 6th we host a Leadership 
Conference in Chicago where some of this information is shared. There is 
still time if groups on this list want to host a display table (no cost to 
non profits) or want to send handouts for conference participants to pick 
up.  If you send handouts, we need them by the end of next week. Mail them 
to me.

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Message 2:
From: Angela Wilson <AWilson at kyanags.org>

I agree with Mr. Kiner.  I believe that there is a combination of 
circumstances that may cause a child to do poorly in school.  There are 
students that come from financially stable backgrounds that also do poorly 
in school.  I, as Mr. Kiner, also came from a family where we grew 
struggling financially on a consistent basis.  However, my parents also 
stressed the importance of education and encouraged me to do well.  I also 
went on to graduate from college and win various awards.

This is my own personal opinion. 

Angela Wilson

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Message 3:
From: JOBoriken at aol.com

Surely, the viewpoint given is understandable and logical.

However, the same is said of Colin Powell.  If he can make it out of 
the=20 South Bronx and into the higher echelons of government, then anyone 
can.

This premise, however, does not take into account that such outcomes 
are=20 rare.  They are the exception rather than the rule.  Sure, parents 
are out there that break their backs to ensure their children succeed. But 
most children and families who live in poverty are directly affected by 
their economic circumstances.  And the schools in their areas are as well. 

<p>Poverty does constitute a major factor in poorly performing schools and 
poorly performing students.  The correlation exists due to the 
overwhelming factors=20 inherent in that relationship: historical 
underfunding of schools in=20 disadvantaged communities, psychological 
stress on the family, struggles with obtaining employment, insufficient 
income, higher crime areas, less support systems=20 available, dearth of 
community resources, absence of political power, and issues=20 of racism 
and prejudice.  All of these factors combine in making living in=20 
poverty a major risk factor for poor school performance. =20

What is needed is a multi-level intervention, one that reaches not only=20 
parents and students, but schools, principles, teachers, the 
educational=20 infrastructure and system, the surrounding community, as 
well as federal, state, and local policy.

J. Ocasio

<p><p>"Hacer es la mejor manera de decir" - Jose Mart=ED

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Message 4:
From: Lkg9912312 at aol.com

You both are right on the perspective of being poor and education and 
education even though you are poor.  What about being poor and not having 
access to information to address it?  Or on the other hand because you 
come from a 1st, 2nd generation of being uneducated, you think it is 
unimportant for your child.  My husband's grandfather could not read and 
write but was able to read his Bible.  I wonder why?  I would assume 
because he felt it and put it in his own words.

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Message 5:
From: chinonso Chikere <macjusti at yahoo.com>

Hello,
     i will participate in that, b/cos poverty is a disease to all african 
so i will be among ur fans in that aspects.
  justin.

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