Is Poverty Really an Excuse for Poor Education Outcomes?

Angel L. Cintron Jr, author of the following article presents two sides to this important question.  Yes, it does.  No, it does not.  Both views have anecdotal evidence to prove their point of view.  After reading this article, you too should come to some type of conclusion along with your teaching experience in Title I where so many of our students are living in poverty.

Poverty & Education:  Meaningul Discussions or Misguided Diatribes?  Angel L. Cintron Jr. 1.17.14. Education Week - Finding Common Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2014/01/poverty_education_meaningful_discussions_or_misguided_diatribes.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS3

What Teachers Don't Often Realize About Poverty

Peter DeWitt's article starts out with statistics about poverty we are already familar with.  But please don't stop reading.  What matters is at the end of the article and it's about you, the teacher.  Not only that but there is an embedded link to the ASCD Study Guide for Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind:  Practical Strategies for Raising Achievement.
 http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/113001/chapters/An-ASCD-Study-Guide-for-Engaging-Students-with-Poverty-in-Mind@-Practical-Strategies-for-Raising-Achievement.aspx This is a study guide to the book of the same title by Eric Jensen.

Five Things Most People Don't Know About Poverty & Student Achievement.  Peter DeWitt.  10.13.13.  Education Week - Finding Common Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2013/10/five_things_most_people_dont_know_poverty_and_student_achievement.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2

Understanding Poverty & Student Achievement

Noted author, Eric Jensen, is guest blogger on Education Week - Finding Common Ground. This article helps us understand various aspects of poverty with special emphasis on poverty.  Excellent.
A must-read for our Title I teachers who meet with their students of poverty every day.  Realize how important you are in their lives!

Five Things Most Peoople Don'[t Know About Poverty & Student Achievement. 10.13.13 Peter DeWitt. Education Week - Finding Common Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2013/10/five_things_most_people_dont_know_poverty_and_student_achievement.html?intc=mvs

Share your thoughts about how you apply what the article says about teachers.

Surprising Finding re: Homeless Students in Minneapolis

Interesting article describing the realities of homeless students.  First study of homelessness and test scores by Cutili examines not only  lower scores but the reasons behind them.  Interesting comments by students who somehow find time to do homework.  There is a subset of homeless students (45%) who scored average or better than average.  Researchers say more studies are required to find out what is being done to support these students in schools.
Our Title I teachers may be teaching homeless students, although they may not be so informed.  School administrators can keep this information confidential.  If you have taught homeless students before, how have you helped them succeed?
Note:  Try using the audio feature on this website.  Really neat!

Study: Homeless students in Minneapolis score lower in math reading tests.  10.30.12 Tim Post, Minnesota Public Radio, MPR News.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/10/30/education/study-homeless-students/

Why Students in Urban Schools Are a Challenge

Guest blogger, Michael Albertson writes about specific challenges that are major contributors to poor student outcomes in urban schools.  He explains 4 aspects of these struggles that often go unmentioned in public discourse.  I'll list them here, but please read the article for further explaination and documentated examples.
1.  Disconnect between life at school and life at home
2.  Language
3.  Hesitancy to Trust Adults
4.  They Know and See What Society Thinks of Them on a Daily Basis

My experience and yours too probably see the same challenges.  The important questions is what can "we" do in our contacts with our Title I kids.  What are some ways, we can broadcast our successes to a larger audience?

Overlooked:  Students in Urban Schools.  Peter DeWitt.  10.19.12.  Education Week - Finding Common Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2012/10/overlooked_students_in_urban_schools.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2

How Does It Feel for Homeless Student?

This is a "Wow" article and an eye-opener for some of our teachers in our schools who have students living in poverty and sometimes homeless.  Armando Gutierrez writes this sensitive piece from one student's point of view.  Not to be missed! 
What ideas can you share with your colleagues that may help other students like this?

You Don't Know Me. Armando Glutierrez. 9.19.12  Education Week
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/09/19/04gutierrez.h32.html?tkn=NSSFNJfWnYttAFmAubpWQp5rHROnks5eBscz&cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS1