Addressing Poverty in Schools

Addressing Poverty in Schools

        Poverty is a social issue that has plagued many societies throughout the past decades with people trying to eradicate it. While there is no one fixed definition as to what is poetry, it can be defined as the inability to meet the basic needs for daily living. Poverty is a worldwide crisis; it does not simply affect one country, one race or one person, it affects all. Child poverty is persistent throughout the world; even in many wealthy countries (Huston). This brings us to poverty and the school. It is necessary for people of the society to take a hands on approach in addressing poverty especially in schools, as this is the initial step in shaping individuals for the real world. Each school faces its own difficulties, some more than others as we look at the issue of poverty. While there are some schools that may seem to be “better off” than others due to their elite status, they are still faced with the issues that poverty results even though it may not be as great in number as other schools.

        Because of their locations, recognition and familiarity, and their interaction and relationship with society, schools are a major platform for addressing poverty. Children who grow up in poverty are less likely to do well in school and this in turn puts them at a disadvantage for their future children. According to Capra 2009, the nation must address, and treat poverty, a condition that erodes the future and impedes any attempts at educational reform. There is a strong link between poverty and schools because the school serves as a primary means of social mobility which helps those in poverty to rise in society. However, students who grew up in poverty normally fails to earn a college degree and work in a low- paying job; there are very few people who grew up in poverty that are able to obtain one.

        The link between poverty and schools can be found in all levels of the educational system from the pre-school level to the tertiary level. Low income is a major factor of educational performance as students from different backgrounds have contrasting experiences while within school Students who are less disadvantaged are more likely to feel a lack of control over their learning, and therefore becomes reluctant to their work. This influences the development of the different attitudes towards education even at the preschool levels as this helps to shape their future.

        The high amount of poverty in schools is no secret to us. Poverty in schools is students not being able to concentrate due to hunger, no place to sleep, or no access to transportation in order to get to school. It can also be being taunted by others or being treated differently. It can make learning much harder than it needs to be which is unfair. Poverty affects students’ ability to learn and participate at school. The main issue many students who live in poverty face is hunger. When a student is hungry they cannot concentrate as they are often tired or can be easily frustrated, creating higher risks of them getting into physical altercations.

        It can also be noted that most students with learning difficulties are living in poverty. It is very hard for families living in poverty as they find it challenging getting their children to school consistently whether I may due to lack of transportation, family illness or having younger children to end to. As a student gets older and matures they often become more independent in terms of getting themselves to school but they too sometimes have the responsibility of baby-sitting younger siblings or have to be employed in order to support their families.

        While school trips can provide those students in poverty with enrichment, they are unable to participate due to insufficient funds. It is also very hard for these students to keep up with homework and assignments because of their responsibilities they already have. Each of these factors plays a role in low test scores, high dropout rates, low concentration levels and high crime rates within schools. Poor children have substantially lower achievement test scores than non-poor children as young as ages three or four, before they even start school (Ludwig, 2009).

        Because of the high concentrations of poverty, teachers face great challenges as opportunities for students in poverty to excel are limited. This is why the school plays such a critical role in addressing these challenges. Many schools are poverty ridden and should therefore employ innovative strategies to promote achievement for their students. Some strategies can have different impacts on students’ learning such as offering incentives, employing highly effective teachers and creating challenging but accessible studies. Additional learning opportunities should also be offered outside the typical school day. It is very important to address the other influences outside of the school.