Impact of Poverty on Student Achievement in Janesville

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According to the Janesville School District, 55% of students in the district are at or below the poverty line. Poverty is one key element that impacts student achievement, along with family, culture, and nutrition. These factors can be connected and intertwine with each other. Individuals are shaped by the environment and the variables from which they surround themselves. The same can be true for students. Teachers need to understand that every student has been influenced by these demographic characteristics in order to be effective. Also, these factors can be connected and intertwine with each other. The family has a huge role in the achievement of students. Research and studies have been done on all aspects of families. Demographics include …show more content…

Poverty does not have to always do with money. Poverty has been researched extensively by Ruby Payne. She defines poverty as a lack of resources. Payne has a few things to consider about poverty: Poverty is relative, is occurs in all races and countries, generational and situational poverty are different, there are hidden rules of class, and schools operate on the middle-class rules and norms. The highest number of children in poverty based on ethnicity are whites, but Native Americans have the highest percentage based on population. The resources that a person who suffers from poverty does not have are listed by Payne: financial, mental, emotional, spiritual, support, physical, relationships and knowledge of the hidden rules. …show more content…

I had a student that was pulled to test. He was pulled just before lunch. He asked when lunch was? I knew he would do poorly on the test if I did not let him eat before the test. Hunger beats out academics. The student who suffers from poverty has a much greater risk of having nutritional problems. Working in the food and retail business for over two decades I have seen what kids eat for breakfast. Healthy is expensive and kids will not choose fruit over donuts. Foods that kids like to eat are full of sugar, caffeine, chemicals, and salt. (Chen) They may taste really good but they leave kids with a tired feeling and unfocused in class. The children are eating but suffer malnutrition from the lack of nutrients the food they eat provides. The Society of Neuroscience conducted studies and concluded that diets with high in saturated fats will impair learning and memory. (Chen) Many schools are giving healthier options for breakfast and lunch for students. Schools cannot help what students bring in to eat, but providing snacks and food that are not as high in chemicals, sugar and saturated fat is a step in the right direction. Culturally understanding the actions of students allows the teacher to form a deeper connection with their students. Through this deeper connection, a sense of security and community will develop between students and the teacher within the classroom. Culture can be the atmosphere in

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