Ruby Payne A Framework for Understanding Poverty GEAR UP Conference October 25-26, 2004 Tom Milliron & Terri Campbell

Key Points from Research Poverty is relative Poverty occurs in all races Generational and situational poverty are different This work is based on patterns – all patterns have exceptions Schools operate from middle-class norms & values Individuals bring with them the hidden rules of the class in which they were raised

Key Points from Research There are cultural differences in poverty We must neither excuse students nor scold them, we must teach them We must teach students that there are two sets of rules To move from poverty to middle class, one must give up (for a period of time) relationships for achievement – if you are not educated you don’t have a choice to move

Hidden Rules of Poverty Noise level is higher Important information is given non-verbally Your value to your group is your ability to entertain You are not respected unless you are personally strong There is a wider range of behaviors that are acceptable

Hidden Rules of Wealth It’s not o.k. not to be perfect Details are very important You are not respected unless you have expertise The rules do not apply to their children The weapon of choice is social exclusion

Conflicts To survive in poverty, one must rely upon non- verbal, sensory and reactive skills To survive in school one must use verbal, abstract and proactive skills

Conflicts In poverty, you can only live in the present –The role of “paper” –The role of money In middle class, you mix the abstract with sensory –The role of paper –The role of money

Registers of Language Frozen: Language that is always the same (Lord’s Prayer) Formal: The standard for work & school Consultative: Formal register in conversation Casual: Language between friends Intimate: Language between lovers or twins Can go up or down 1 register

Cognitive Strategies: Reuven Feuerstein If you: –do not develop the ability to plan –cannot predict –cannot identify cause and effect –cannot identify consequences –cannot control impulsivity You may have an inclination to criminal behavior