Experiences of Poverty and Educational Disadvantage

Experiences of Poverty and
Educational Disadvantage

INTRODUCTION The article “Experiences of Poverty and Educational Disadvantage,” written by Donald Hirsh focus primarily on the differences of children from different backgrounds, class and ethnicity in relation to their educational journey. These differences can range from teaching styles, homework and or home life, or the overall perception of school itself as seen by the student. The realization of poor or low income children not having the proper funding for a great education is shameful. Especially here in the United States of America where so many individuals believe that a great education and hard work provides the foundation for achieving the “American Dream”.

CRITIQUE

Many individuals believe that low income is a strong predictor of low educational performance. This holds true for many low income students but we have to ask ourselves why. Then and only then will we as a society be able to understand and correct this growing problem faced by low income students. We know that in most low income homes parents often work until late night to provide for their families. There fore those parents are not around to help students with homework assignments or other areas the student may need help in. Some of the parents themselves do not have the educational background to help their children with assignments even if they had the extra time. Also in some low income homes education is just not a priority. Teachers in low income schools are not as passionate as those in affluent schools. Because these teachers have more to deal with they are typically more stressed out and usually have very little or no patience. Although this (stressed out adults) is nothing new to most low income students it’s one reason why they mentally withdraw from school. Which is why so many low income students fall behind in their learning skills at such an early age? In most low income schools the conditions are shocking to most. Students must learn in classrooms with leaking roofs and dim lighting. The restrooms and other parts of the school are not up to code, there’s no advanced learning equipment, there’s only one set of books per classroom etc… Because of this students themselves become stressed out. These students feel that they are not valued by society, the system or their peers. They become like zombies walking around feeling un-empowered, disrespected and unwanted; therefore they make no effort to succeed.

SUMMARY

Students from disadvantaged families and communities are very much dependent on school to bridge the gap between themselves and students from affluent families. However the system and society continues to fail these students by not investing in their education whole heartedly. Students should not be denied the right to a great education based on the fact that they were born into poverty. No one deserves to attend school in conditions worse than where they live. No student deserves to be disrespected or degraded on a daily basis. These students come to school with a range of factors stacked high against them but they show up in spite of their problems and fears. School for low income students should be an escape from their every day lives of chaos, disappointments and broken dreams. All children rich, poor, black or white should be entitled to the same “great” education that has been provided to affluent students across the world. Imagine a world where all students have books, access to the best technology, state of the art gyms and buildings, confident, patient, caring, and inspiring teachers whose number one goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of each and every student who come before her. For me this would be the true American Dream!