These Families Those Families:

Deconstructing the Poverty Argument

Beth Harry

Equity Forum

March 1, 2011

The Poverty Argument

Poverty accounts for:

Lack of motivation

Poor behavior

Low IQ scores

High drop-out rate

Disproportionality in Special Ed

The List of Deficits

Ravitch: “It’s poverty”

Ruby Payne: family cultural deficit

Hart & Risley: family language deficit

Berliner: family income deficit

NRC: family and environmental deficit

The Big Picture: Societal Structure Deficit

Kozol: School structureRacial and income segregation

School cultures

School resources

Anyon: Societal structureMinimum wage

Transportation

Health care

School funding

Missing Link (a): Deficit Defined by Middle-Class Norms

IQ score does not equal intelligence

Different language register does not equal language skill/ability

Different behaviors do not equal behavioral disorder:

Missing Link (b): Poor Kids Get Poor Schools

HOW?Funding formulas

Lower salaries

Weak teachers, administrators

Limited curriculum

High-stakes testing

Quick fixes

Low expectations

Family stereotyping

Missing Link (c): Family Resilience

The facts of poverty are evident

Purpose is not to romanticize poverty or poor families; rather to inspire

Thankful for the big picture books (Anyon, Kozol, Hart & Risley, Berliner)

But I’m going to offer you some close-up pictures of hope, promise, resilience, family strength

Robert: I’m a Gangsta, Tha’s Why!

Jacintha

Why do I have 9 kids? Because I just love having kids. I love being a mother.“To Robert, with love, from Mom and Dad, Christmas, 1999”Baby – bring momma’s pen.Robert needs help. Please do something!

Robert’s Mom

Kanita: She Just Wants Her Momma

Kanita’s Family

Grandma: There’s nothing wrong with her. She just wants her momma.”Grandma: Would you like to see my album?Cousin: Is Kanita going to college?EBD Teacher: What’s she doing here?

Silvia: A Very Happy PersonSilvia: A Very Happy Person

Silvia’s Mom

Es una persona muy contenta”

Este problema tengo yo - que ya esta grande y no sabe leer nada. Eso es lo que quiero, que ella aprenda a leer, porque sin sabe leer no sabe nada”