Describe how class is related to education generally and school success specifically. Use at least three examples of how poverty and low achievement intersect in education

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Response:
Generally:
Many American have argued that education is free and public schools can provide a way out of poverty, however, schools conditions in poor neighborhoods are often appalling. With no tax base to pay for improving schools, it is often difficult to receive an education that will lead them out of poverty. Schools receive money based on tax rates of their local areas and improvised areas with no industry have very little taxes to support their schools.
Specifically:
• It has been reported that 25% of U.S. urban school budgets are typically expended to respond to the psychological and social needs of students from low-income families. This takes money from academic areas for all children.
• SAT scores are related to family income: the higher the income, the higher the scores. This is related to lack of computers in the home and inability to afford extra academic help to improve scores.
• Children represent almost 40% of the homeless population. These children suffer from physical health issues, depression over being evicted from their home, anxiety about their family, and fears resulting from family instability and violence. Because homeless families move frequently, the children are often at one school for a brief period before transferring to another school.