Poverty and Education
Poverty and education are easily correlated in research that spans several disciplines. Sociology research papers and education research both illustrate that where there is poverty, there is a correlation to a lack of educational opportunities. Paper Masters suggests the following topics to study poverty and education:
- High school drop out rates in poverty stricken communities
- College entrance statistics from low income families
- Computers per student in areas where poverty is prolific
Poverty is a persistent and pervasive problem across the globe, including in the United States. The long-lasting effects of poverty are multifaceted. One of the most visible effects that poverty has, and one that perpetuates its existence, are its impact on education. Education, it has been said, is the key to success. Poverty prevents many individuals in the United State from receiving a proper education.
U.S. Census Bureau Statistics on Poverty and Education
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 30 million children are growing up in poverty today. One of the most direct effects that poverty has on education is reducing literacy. It has been estimated that in some poor communities, there is only one book for every 300 children. Additionally, children who live in poverty have higher absentee rates, reducing their ability to learn. Further, students who live in poverty are far more likely to drop out of school altogether, some seven times greater than students from higher income families.
Children who live in poverty have lower test scores, and are far less likely to attend college. Overall, high school graduation rates for minority students, those more likely to live in poverty, are alarmingly low, hovering around 50 percent for African-Americans and Hispanic students from impoverished families. It has been argued that one of the best ways to combat poverty in the United States is to invest in the education, reduce dropout rates, and provide for higher education for all who want it.