Poverty and Resources in Schools

Schools and businesses are run by a set of middle class norms, expectations, and hidden rules.  For all kids to have success in the classroom, it is important that they know and can follow these rules, and these hidden rules don’t naturally exist in the homes and lives of many of our students.  We have to be prepared and equipped to teach those hidden rules to our students so that they can be successful in school and in business as they get older.

The notes below are from the book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby K. Payne.

Poverty of Resources

Poverty can be defined by a lack of resources.  These resources are more than just financial and many are more important than financial resources.  When there is a lack in any of the resources below, it will be difficult for students (and adults) to become and be their best self: 

What kind of resources? 

1 - Financial (money) 

2 - Emotional (grit) 

3 - Mental (intelligence) 

4 - Spiritual (purpose) 

5 - Physical (health) 

6 - Support Systems (family and friends) 

7 - Relationships (Role Models) 

8 - Knowledge of Hidden Rules (expectations) 

Financial - Having enough money to purchase goods and services. 

Emotional - Being able to choose and control emotional responses through stamina perseverance and choices. 

Mental - Having the mental ability and skills. 

Spiritual - Belief that help can come from a higher power.  Belief in something bigger than yourself. 

Physical - A capable and mobile body. 

Support Systems - Having back up when you need it. 

Relationships/Role Models - All individuals have role models, but how nurturing and appropriate are they? 

Knowledge of Hidden Rules - Hidden rules exist for each class, each gender, each culture and all other units of people and they cue whether or not a person does or doesn't fit into a particular group.  There are hidden rules about food, dress, decorum, etc that must be taught and learned. 

Often we try to prescribe the same speeches, medicine and consequences to all students to fit our personal norms and expectations.  We have to understand that schools and business are ran by middle-class norms and expectations, and we can't assume that all of our students (and teachers) come from and live those expectations every day.  We have to teach, reteach and model those expectations from the very first day and through the very last day. 

When we are working with students (or adults) who are struggling and needing help, we should first make sure that we have effectively taught and modelled expected behaviors and then analyze their resources, or lack thereof. 

If we have NOT clearly and effectively taught, communicated and modelled expected behavior, that is where we need to start.   

From there, we must make sure that we are addressing their individual needs (without sacrificing the learning environment for all). 

Each individual is different, especially when you consider their different demographics.  The more you know about a person’s available resources, the better guidance that you can provide for them.