Students who come from low-income homes can achieve academic success despite their socioeconomic status.
That?s the sentiment expressed in the book “A Framework for Understanding Poverty” by Ruby K. Payne, a national educational consultant whoannually trains thousands of people, including school officials on how to help low-income students achieve in the classroom.
“She doesn?t give up on a school or kid” if they come from a low-income home, said Peggy Conrad, vice president of publications of aha! Process Inc., a Highlands, Texas-based business owned by Payne.
Last fall, more than 300 Howard County public school officials participated in one of Payne?s workshops and recently pointed to the session as possibly helping boost the 2006 Maryland School Assessment test scores among students receiving free and reduced-priced lunches. Students from low-income families are eligible for the lunch programs.
“I think part of what Dr. Payne helps people with are the communication challenges with children from poverty,” said Clarissa Evans, director of secondary curricular programs for the school system. “You have to put yourself in the position of the child and then it may mean modifying what you say.”
As an example, Evans said Payne states that students from poverty sometimes view backing down from a fight as a sign of weakness.
So in order to convey the message that fighting is counterproductive to success, it?s better to tell the student that “It takes more strength not to fight than it does to fight,” Evans said.
Sean Martin, principal at Bryant Woods Elementary School in Columbia, said Payne has taught him the importance of understanding his students? backgrounds.
“All students are not the same,” he said.
Ruby K. Payne
» Author of “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”
» Professional educator since 1972
Source: www.ahaprocess.com
