http://livinglearninginpoverty.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-poverty-...
Thanks, Rachel, for the link to another fascinating excerpt on the effects of poverty on academic achievement! It referenced a statistic families that were known to have a history of domestic violence were significantly correlated to a decrease in math and reading tests and an increase in behavior issues with suspensions. It is not difficult to see the direct correlation between behavior issues and domestic violence... Poor performance in school makes sense as well... Right now I have a student that is dealing with this issue right now. Her home life is laced with the issues that come with the effects of poverty in which there is 8 children. Her mama is the only one working and has amazing strength, Faith is the backbone of this woman. Her Daddy is angry and discontent. Her oldest brother ran away from home a few weeks ago because he was "beaten up" by his step-daddy. DSS became involved, and hasn't changed a thing. She went to the hospital 2 weeks later, when she tried to come between her daddy and mama when they were in a physical fight. She wasn't hurt too badly so it was a quick trip. Yesterday she came into the classroom inconsolable, as it turns out there was a big conflict and her daddy left and hadn't come back yet. All of this is the bad news, the good news is that she is performing excellently on her academics, she is the best student in my classroom Her behavior leaves some to be desired, but she is doing much better this year than last year. She was in the principal's office often last. She is a child that despite the odds, I have been able to reach. I haven't sent her to the principal's office once!
This sounds like a horrible situation. I actually started my career with domestic violence, crisis line, and drug and alcohol intervention/counseling. It's tough stuff to break through and it's effects reach so many and not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a tough situation Amy! The good news is that we can reach these children. I have may a good connection with this child! The other day she wrote in her journal "Mrs. Gregory loves me, she thanks (not thinks!) that I can do good in school, she believes in me!" It is validating when you do touch a child. It makes it all seem worth it:)
ReplyDeleteWow, its really amazing to consider the amount of influence we have on students - especially when they don't have the support and influence they need at home. We get to spend the better part of a year seeing the same kids five days a week. When we stop and think about that, it really tends to put that question of influence into perspective.
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