This opinion piece suggests how we can shape childhood experiences (particularly for those living in poverty and receiving poor education) to reduce adverse outcomes.
What is an albatross to the poor is a woe to the affluent.
Living in poverty is devastating for children in many ways, especially the impact of poverty on their education. Consider the following data:
- High School seniors from poor families are, on average, four years behind more affluent peers;
- Only one out of two students from low income families graduate high school;
- Only 33 percent of high school students from poor families go to college and only 8 percent complete a degree within six years of matriculation;
- Third graders from poor families and who read below grade level are three times more likely to drop-out of school.
These devastating statistics may be explained by the fact that children from poor families entering kindergarten and first grade are significantly behind their more affluent peers in terms of academic knowledge and cognitive and social skills.
http://jjie.org/op-ed-the-truth-about-delinquency-prevention/107143/
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