Part II - 'Poverty and Potential'

The other day I outlined six 'Out of School Factors' that have been shown to adversely affect school achievement. The appearance of these factors, such as food insecurity, lack of proper health care/insurance, etc., is greatest in areas where poverty persists.

In the past, when people talked about funding education much of the discussion centered on putting money directly into the school (supplies, salaries, and the like). Too often, people witnessed too little 'bang for the buck.'

Though funds are needed for the schools in greatest need, what we now know is that money is needed to combat problems that exist outside of the school day and structure.

Think about it for a minute. If a child doesn't have the proper nutrition and his/her illness or disease is not treated because of a lack of funds for direct medical care or an absence of insurance, it stands to reason that the student will not perform well in school.

The above condition holds true regardless of race, religion, gender, etc according to Berliner's study. Without the proper funds to curtail the scourge of the 'Out of School Factors' all children will suffer.

Unless, and until, families have the income to use it in order to mitigate the OSF's then students will continue to have difficulties in school. Bringing at end to the blight of regions in poverty will certainly go long way towards improving student success.

Dick