Poverty marches on in the American South - more than half of public school students in the South are now poor

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

ATLANTA — The South has become the first region in the country where more than half of public school students are poor and more than half are members of minorities, according to a new report.

The shift was fueled not by white flight from public schools, which spiked during desegregation but has not had much effect on school demographics since the early 1980s. Rather, an influx of Latinos and other ethnic groups, the return of blacks to the South and higher birth rates among black and Latino families have contributed to the change.

...

Poor and minority students ... score lower than average on tests and drop out more frequently than whites. Four of the 15 states in the report — Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — now have a majority of both low-income and minority pupils.

...

“We’ve got to figure out how to break the cycle of poverty, and the way we’re doing it now isn’t working,” said Hank M. Bounds, the Mississippi commissioner of higher education and, until recently, the state superintendent of schools. “An affluent 5-year-old has about the same vocabulary as an adult living in poverty.”

...

“We have a history of providing the least educational resources to the students who need the most,” said Steve Suitts, the vice president of the Southern Education Foundation and the author of the study. “The people in the South have to be concerned about all children, not just their own grandchildren.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/us/07south.html

[scandal 951]

“An affluent 5-year-old has about the same vocabulary as an adult living in poverty.”

Affluent 5 year olds know how to cuss and swear just as well as redneck trailer trash? Wow! I had no idea.

[alienlovechild 75]

ATLANTA — The South has become the first region in the country where more than half of public school students are poor and more than half are members of minorities, according to a new report.

The shift was fueled not by white flight from public schools, which spiked during desegregation but has not had much effect on school demographics since the early 1980s. Rather, an influx of Latinos and other ethnic groups, the return of blacks to the South and higher birth rates among black and Latino families have contributed to the change.

...

Poor and minority students ... score lower than average on tests and drop out more frequently than whites. Four of the 15 states in the report — Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — now have a majority of both low-income and minority pupils.

The South always had problem with its public schools. The problem is compounded by intergenerational disregard for education by some families and limited English by some Hispanic parents that can't help out their kids on their homework. The good thing is you've got better chance at being on the honor roll down South if you've some brains and make the effort.

You'd think the Obama example would inspire some kids but there's indication of that.

[LaL 418]

The South always had problem with its public schools. The problem is compounded by intergenerational disregard for education by some families and limited English by some Hispanic parents that can't help out their kids on their homework. The good thing is you've got better chance at being on the honor roll down South if you've some brains and make the effort.

You'd think the Obama example would inspire some kids but there's indication of that.

####### man.

[alienlovechild 75]

####### man.

You'd think the Obama example would inspire some kids but there's NO indication of that.

Did that help you out?

Edited January 8, 2010 by alienlovechild

[LaL 418]

I don't need your help, thanks!

[alienlovechild 75]

I don't need your help, thanks!

Ok, I thought you had some point to make beyond emoticons.

[Danno 1,228]

Black unfortunately tend to score lower on these tests, any area which has a large Black population, not to mention recent migration of non english speakers will on average score low.

For instance take the state with the lowest 8th grade average reading score among whites, compare that to the average Black score and you will find (if I an reading this chart correct) these illiterate white kids in WV are still reading better than the Average Black kid in every other state.

IN other words the state with the highest average Black score is still behind these lowest scoring White kids in WV.

http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/state...cwithin%2c0%2c0

The "Achievement Gap" between White students and Black students it would seem would have to play a large roll as the South is the predominate area Black Americans live.

Of course in addition, the South in the last decade or so has also been a huge magnet for illiterate Illegals whose children struggle both with the language hurdle and lack of "at home help", certainly this accounts for the poor showing as well.

When we can solve the Achievement-Gap we will see an improvement in the south.

A newer map would reflect the even higher Black population that exists in the south now.

Edited January 8, 2010 by Danno

[lostinblue 1,989]

Single unwed mothers are the number one cause of poverty in america.

http://www.welfareacademy.org/pubs/welfare...mony-0395.shtml

Almost half of all female-headed families with children under 18 have incomes below the poverty line. This is almost five times the poverty rate of two-parent families with children. Three-fourths of all time periods spent on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) begin with the creation of a female- headed family.

This new form of poverty is not caused directly by racial discrimination or by structural deficiencies in the economy, but, rather, by a major and troubling change in the behavior of American parents--the creation of single-parent households.

[Danno 1,228]

Single unwed mothers are the number one cause of poverty in america.

http://www.welfareacademy.org/pubs/welfare...mony-0395.shtml

Almost half of all female-headed families with children under 18 have incomes below the poverty line. This is almost five times the poverty rate of two-parent families with children. Three-fourths of all time periods spent on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) begin with the creation of a female- headed family.

This new form of poverty is not caused directly by racial discrimination or by structural deficiencies in the economy, but, rather, by a major and troubling change in the behavior of American parents--the creation of single-parent households.

How can you be so heartless to point this out, Single mother have enough on their plate without you pointing out the massive drain they are on us by their life choices.

[GabiandVi 34]

These are the students I teach. I teach a program designed to bring students reading below grade level up to grade level. It is a hard sell because the students consider it "special ed" and we have to do a lot of very elementary activities. Plus, it takes up two of their electives.

I became an English teacher because I love literature and I wanted to infuse that love of literature in my students. A person who drops out of school but reads is better educated than a person who finishes school but does not read. That was my opinion and I thought if I could get the kids to love reading, I would be setting them up for life. But how can you love reading the classics when you can't comprehend a simple third grade text book? I know some would say I dropped my expectations, but I just crashed into reality.

We do not have control over the cultural influences of our students. But we might be able to influence their culture and break the cycle. But we can only do it through education and the system we have isn't working. It needs to be overhauled.

We have to have realistic expectations. We have to expect everyone to reach those minimum expectations. Then we have to allow for different paths.

Communication is key. Communication skills, thinking skills, and problem solving skills. These should be the focus of our expectations. All required courses should be taught with a view to these skills. We can't offer a curriculum that would prepare everyone for his or her eventual career, so we need to offer a curriculum that teaches the skills every career requires. Those are communication, thinking, and problem solving. More specific skills can be taught in career education whether that be trade school, community college, university, or some sort of apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

This would be more meaningful to all students. It would ensure better results. It would be more efficient. It would elevate job choices that are considered last resort. It would allow students to pursue their potential more readily. It would be more motivational.

But we have to work within the culture of these students. We can't prepare the mold and expect them to fit it. We have to take the mold they come in and shape it into something new.

[alienlovechild 75]

We do not have control over the cultural influences of our students. But we might be able to influence their culture and break the cycle. But we can only do it through education and the system we have isn't working. It needs to be overhauled.

I, too, would like to see the cycle broken but this isn't a new problem and it has gotten to the point where people simply accept it as a normal state of affairs. I find it hard to believe that some parents have such low expectations and doom their kids to a narrow range of future career possibilities beyond ending as young grandparents to start yet another generation of underachievers.

[NickD 203]

I think we should be more concerned with the children in Iraq, Afghanistan, China, Viet Nam, North and South Korea and I am pleased my government agrees with me on this. I didn't mind seeing my property taxes go up another 400 bucks this year or the college tuition payments going up for our daughter that we can only deduct $4,000.00 for. Hell, I enjoy working my can off so other peoples kids can get a good education.

For the most part, sent my own kids to a parochial school until the tuition became unbearable. Education use to be inexpensive back then and also feel it was far superior to what it is today. Sent my step daughter to the public schools since the parochial schools couldn't help her with English. She quickly learned every foul word in the English language.

[mawilson 2,133]

Affluent 5 year olds know how to cuss and swear just as well as redneck trailer trash? Wow! I had no idea.

:rofl: