Poverty

Each day, children come to school with their own challenges. A major challenge facing our country and school systems is poverty. According to the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals, nearly one-fifth of all students nationwide are either living in poverty or attending a high-poverty school. Research has consistently shown higher percentages of Hispanic, African American, American Indian, and Pacific Islander children in poverty-stricken schools compared to White children. Children who are living in poverty possess many more challenges than their peers who do not. Poverty factors can include a non-nutritional diet, homelessness, a lack of food, the inability to receive medical treatment, and the concurrent absence of family members if they are having to work extreme hours. This topic is extremely important within the educational field. How are children going to focus on their education and school work if they are lacking basic necessities? Poverty affects school readiness and educational attainment. Furthermore, children who live in poverty may also lack home resources to complete homework or engage in other activities. 

I believe poverty is one of the most challenging topics to address within school systems. It is mind-blowing to see the difference between two schools in the same city, 20 minutes away. I have quite a bit of experience working in low-income, inner-city schools. For us as outsiders, we may view these lower-income schools as unequipped, old, and not functional. However, for the children in these schools, this is all they know. 

A group of children is eating lunch
that was provided for them by 
the school they attend.

Children some days may come to school without appropriate clothing, fed, or well-groomed. However, as educators, it is our job to meet their needs within the school environment. An initiative taken within multiple districts was by beginning lower-income areas school days earlier. Children now get to school earlier and are provided free breakfast to begin their morning. They also are provided free lunch and an afternoon snack. When school is not in session, there are drive-up events where each child is provided a bag of food to take home. Additionally, during the beginning of the pandemic, lower-income children were provided free internet services within their homes to aid with virtual schooling. With accurate support, children living in poverty can be given equal opportunities as their peers.