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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEditorial: Real hurdle to education reform is poverty
There is nothing easy about trying to boost academic outcomes for poor kids.
That is why weve supported a range of aggressive interventions for the Chicago Public Schools over the years, including school closures, charter openings, turnarounds, improved teacher evaluations, a longer school day and changes to teaching tenure, hiring and firing rules.
We remain convinced those interventions can make the difference at individual schools, for individual kids and, across all schools, can move the needle slightly.
But until society and our schools figures out a way to deal, in a comprehensive and systemic way, with child poverty a parents income and educational level is the biggest predictor of school success the odds of major improvement are low.
The Chicago Teachers Union has been pressing this point with greater urgency in recent days and we applaud it. It released a report this month laying out the undeniable link between a parents wage and school achievement.
more ... http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/17268148-474/editorial-real-hurdle-to-education-reform-is-poverty.html
sleestak smile
(12 posts)Recommendations:
Dumbing Us Down
http://www.amazon.com/Dumbing-Down-Curriculum-Compulsory-Anniversary/dp/0865714487|
The Underground History of American Education (free online)
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/index.html
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)I'm a teacher and we have been having lively discussions on this topic for some time now.
I was just thrilled to see the Chicago paper finally recognize the impact of poverty on student achievement. This is really a victory.
sleestak smile
(12 posts)then look at the effects of nutrition on academic achievement
Viva_Daddy
(785 posts)LWolf
(46,179 posts)Nobody in the mainstream political system has any authentic plans to address poverty.
sleestak smile
(12 posts)LWolf
(46,179 posts)it's cold out there this morning.
sleestak smile
(12 posts)Who benefits?
Who benefits from a poverty stricken, unhealthy population?