Margarita Velazquez

Professor Bartlett
SED 322
7 October 2015
Annotation: Effects of Inequality and Poverty vs. Teachers
and Schooling on Americas Youth

QUESTIONS
o If within 5 years of high stakes test with only one third of schools passing, why hasnt
anything changed?
o What can teachers do to help their students of low income families when it comes to
social and political reforms as the article mentions?

REACTIONS
o I wasnt really surprised to read that there is only a 9% university graduation rate among
the lower classes. The amount of money we have to come up with to attend school is a
huge burden. I have felt this burden myself as a university student from a low income
family. Although I have been awarded scholarships it is not enough, which has led to
student loans. I have a great support system and the scholarships have helped, so I can
only imagine who impossible, and out of reach attending school can be for some people.
o I was surprised how much the difference in class makes when compared to the Finnish
students. A rise in class would raise PISA scores 42 to Finlands 31 points, which goes to

show just how much students are affected. Yet nothing is done to make school even for
these students. They are often left to their own devices to sink or swim on their own.

CONNECTIONS
o .The article mentions how politicians like to use success stories of people who have risen
out of poverty to demonstrate that hard work can pay off, but it is easier said than done. I
remember reading in a previous article for the course how this type of thinking promotes
false hope. These success stories are the expectation because not everyone who lives in
poverty has support, resources, or assistance. There is definitely a disconnect when it
comes poverty, and what it entails.
o In another course we discussed the problem of teen pregnancy, which as shown in the
article is one of the reasons why students in low income families do poorly or drop out.
We also talked about how unrealistic it is to teach abstinence and not providing students
with more information on alternative forms of birth control.

RESTATEMENTS
o The article mentions how students born into low income classes are less likely to ever
climb into a better class. It also mentions how this is also due to the hit many families
have taken financially, and the rise in tuition which has led to only about 9% university
graduation rate among those who live in poverty.
o In the span of 5 years of high stakes testing throughout the United States about one third
of the schools passed.

APPLICATIONS

o One way to help students is by helping their parents. It would be great if schools and
communities offered courses which help parents gain skills that they can apply in the
pursuit of obtaining a job such as resume, interview, and organizational skills.
o As a teacher I can help provide a welcoming environment that pushes my students to
higher expectations. It is by holding them accountable, providing support, and
challenging them that I will hopefully help my students in some way.