POVERTY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE How Poverty Affects Behavior

POVERTY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE How Poverty Affects Behavior and Academic Performance

How Does the United States Measure Poverty? • Poverty Thresholds issued by Census Bureau § Thresholds represent annual amount of cash minimally required for households. § Method was established in mid-1960’s § Thresholds are updated annually to account for inflation

Nature, Nurture, and Academic Performance § Genes and Environment § Geneticists claim DNA accounts for 30 -50 percent of behaviors § Attachment between parent and child § Predicts relationships with peers and teachers § Parental Education is substandard § Home Behavior= School Behavior stressful home environment usually equates classroom behavior

Reasons Poverty Affects Academic Performance • Stressful Enviroments • Affect mood, sleep patterns, outlook on education Not Fitting In • Clothes, jewelry, popularity, etc Education and Long Work hours of Parents decreased attention to academic needs of children

Common Behaviors of Children Raised In Poverty • “Acting out” behaviors • Impatience and Impulsivity • Less empathy for others’ misfortunes • Inappropriate emotional responses

Improving School Performance • More Afterschool Programs • Increased Parent Teacher Interaction • Customized Assignments • Effective Balance Among Lectures and Group Assignments • Mentoring

Beating The Odds • Brain and Behavior challenges do not mirror all poor students • Children Raised in Poverty have a chance at success.

Challenges Faced by Poor Students • Increased School Absences • Tardiness Rates • Rates of undiagnosed and/or untreated health problems or disabilities

Brain Growth and Income Low Income Students are not read to enough decreased brain development Poorer people have fewer areas devoted to learning at home Less Likely to be taken to museums

Works Cited A Study Guide for Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Schools Can Do About It. N. p. , n. d. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. • "National Poverty Center | University of Michigan. " RSS. N. p. , n. d. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. •