Ellen Teel & Nina LauWestern Washington University

Education & Poverty in America’s SchoolsPre-K—8 Programs & Services

Is Poverty & Education an Important Issue to you?

“yes because I think that they are apart of a cycle- that continues poor education and poverty.”

“Yes because I will likely have to deal with it in my career, if not directly, then likely indirectly.”

“yes, because it as all around us and our major requires us to know about topics like this in order to help others.”

“yes... We are intertwined. We need to build up the youth of today and give them the opportunity to improve their situations.”

“Yes, I don't know how we expect children to learn and grow if they have to worry about where they're living or where their next meal is coming from.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvtklvJK9B8

“The most important question to ask is : Does child A, born into community A, have roughly the same opportunity for a quality education as child B, born into community B? For most industrialized countries, the answer is yes. For us, it’s an embarrassing no.”

D. Fulton as quoted in Books (2004)

Poverty Statistics• 2009 National Poverty Line for a family of

4=$22,050 (annual calculation based on inflation & family size from a formula developed in 1965)– Even though the cost of living is different from state

to state, the poverty line is the same for everyone– People who are poor spend approximately 20% of

their income on food as opposed to 1/3 in 1965 – Some mothers work outside the home & pay for

childcare but government formula does not account for this

– Measure does not reflect the gap (how far below the threshold a family falls)

Source: http://aspe.hhs.gov & Thomas-Presswood & Presswood (2008)

Statistics Cont'd…In 2007, 37.3 million people in the U.S. were in poverty

Above low income

68%

Low income20%

Poverty12%

Children in Washington, by income level, 2007

In 2007, 12%

(187,668) of children

lived in poor fami-

lies

Source: http://www.nccp.org/ & http://www.census.gov/ & http://www.schooldatadirect.org/

WA Average spending per student in 2006 was $7,984

Over 10,000 students are enrolled in Bellingham School District

- 13 elementary schools serve students grades K-5- 4 middle schools serve students grade 6-8

In 2003 5,798 children were living in poverty

Funds come from federal, state & local sources.

Public School Funding

Federal 7%

State 50%

Local43%

Funds for U.S. Public Schools, 2003

Unlike almost every other nation, the United States relies heavily on local property taxes to fund public schools and in this way links the quality of a child’s schooling to the affluence of the child’s family and neighbors. Because the students with the greatest needs generally live in the poorest areas, this unusual and educationally unsound way of funding public school almost guarantees inequalities in educational opportunity.

Books (2004) p. 86

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)• Signed into law in 2002 by Bush Administration• Four Pillars:

– Stronger Accountability for Results• Annual state & school report cards• Schools that do not meet progress must provide supplemental services &

take corrective action, otherwise must “make dramatic changes”– More Freedom for States and Communities

• Districts can transfer up to 50% of the federal formula grants they receive under certain programs without separate approval.

– Proven Education Methods• Federal funding is targeted to support scientifically proven methods

– More Choices for Parents• Parents may transfer their children to better –performing schools if a school

does not meet standards for 2 consecutive years• Schools test all students annually in grades 3-8 and once in

high school Source: http://www.ed.gov

National School Lunch• Serves about 27.8 million children in 97,000

schools– Children from families with an income less than 130%

below the poverty line are eligible to receive free meals– Families with an income 130-185% below the poverty

line are eligible for meals at a reduced price• Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture• Programs reimburse schools for the cost of meals• May create a separation among students• A good breakfast improves school performance• There is criticism of how nutritious meals are

Sources: Lang (2007) and Mandell & Schram (2006)

Readiness to Learn• A statewide program with the mission to help kids

succeed academically. • Part of the Education Reform Act of 1993 • Funded through a statewide grant• Works with other human service agencies in the

community• Meets a variety of needs, specific to that particular

community– Whatcom county focuses on basic needs– In 2008 served 1,229 kids

• Data is starting to show that interventions with RTL are improving WASL scores and attendance rates“Kids have life beyond the school day that impacts their

school day” – Mary Jo Durborow, RTL Coordinator

Early Head Start• National program , funded by federal & state governments• Federally Mandated, must meet qualifications • Serves children aged birth to 3 • Runs from Mid-late September through May• 2 socializing events/month• 2 Models:

– Home Based (Bellingham)• 2 teachers, home visits once a week for 90 minutes• Goals Setting• 19 slots

– Center Based (Nooksack)• Partnership with High school• Partial-day program• 17 slots

Head Start & Tribal Head Start• National Program, Federally funded• 209 slots • Federally Mandated

– Curriculum requirements (literacy & social/emotional)– 85% attendance by students, must stay full – Each class must have parent representation– Must have yearly well-child exams

• Age 3 (by August 31) to 4 years of age• Tribal: runs full day & year round programs for

migrant families (birth-5)

Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP)• Washington State Specific Program• State Funded Head Start• 85 Slots

How do you Qualify?•Point value system; Income, disabilities, language, etc (Prioritized)•Based off need•Waiting lists kept at all times, must stay full, (Ave.10-30 families)•90% of classes must be low income•Every child must have yearly “well-child” exams

• Subsidized childcare options– Child care subsidies for other state programs

Several state programs offer child care subsidies for families they serve. – Crisis nurseries

Families who are in crisis and in need of emergency child care for children ages 6 years and younger are able to access free crisis nursery care.

– Developmental preschoolSchool districts offer free preschool to some children with special needs.

– Preschool programs (exempt from licensing)Private preschools, including parent cooperative preschools (co-ops) are not regulated by the Department of Early Learning.

• Whatcom Partnerships:– Bellingham Childcare Learning Center– Kids Korner– St. Francis Childcare Center

Other Services

Source: http://www.del.wa.gov/care/other/Default.aspx

Poverty Poor

Prenatal Care

Low Birth

Weight

Medical Fitness

Problems in

School

Dropping Out of School

Low-paying

Job

Butterfly Effect

Source: Thomas-Presswood & Presswood (2008) p. 21

Take a couple of minutes to reflect on how poverty affects education & vice versa & think

about how it relates to our work as Human Service Professionals. Think about how you might improve the education system or how you might make an impact as an individual.

Write your ideas down and be ready to share.

Activity