1. a framework for Understanding Poverty
Ruby Payne’s
a framework for
Understanding Poverty

2. Introduction and Chapter 1
Statistics on Poverty in the U.S.
and
Definitions and Resources

3. Key Points Poverty is relative
Poverty occurs in all races and all countries.
Economic class is a continuous line, not a clear-cut distinction.
Generational poverty and situational poverty are different.
This work is based on patterns. All patterns have exceptions.

4. Key Points, continued
An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class.
Schools and businesses operate from middle class norms and use the hidden rules of the middle class.
For our students to be successful, we must understand their hidden rules and teach them the rules that will make them successful at school and at work.

5. Key Points, continued
We can neither excuse students nor scold them for not knowing; as educators, we must teach them and provide support, insistence, and expectations.
To move from poverty to middle class, or middle class to wealth, an individual must give up relationships for achievement (at least for some period of time).

6. Key Points, continued
Two things that help one move out of poverty are education and relationships.
Four reasons one leaves poverty are:
It’s too painful to stay.
A vision or a goal.
A key relationship.
A specific talent or skill.

7. Some economic stats Percent of children living in poverty in the U.S.
All races: 17.6%
Caucasian: 14.3%
Hispanics: 29.7%
African-American: 34.1%
Asian: 12.5%
Native American: 31.9%

8. Stats on Poverty The U.S. is getting poorer.
Foreign born U.S. population has increased 57% since 1990.
Poorer children much more likely to suffer development delays.
Children of poverty are much more often from single parent families.
Poor inner-city children much more likely to be victims of abuse or neglect.

9. Stats on Poverty, continued
Poverty is caused by interrelated factors: parental employment, status and earnings, family structure, and parental education.
Children under age 6 are particularly vulnerable to poverty.
U.S. child poverty rate is often 2 to 3 times higher than most other major Western industrialized nations.

10. Poverty
A working definition of poverty is “the extent to which an individual does without resources.”

11. Resources Financial (having money for good/services)
Emotional (ability to choose appropriate responses, particularly in negative situations)
Mental (mental abilities and acquired content skills)
Spiritual (Believing in divine purpose/guidance)
Physical (Having health and mobility)
Support Systems (friends, family, and backup resources)
Relationships/Role Models (Having nurturing adults)
Knowledge of the hidden rules (Unspoken cues/habits)

12. Relationships
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
-Dr. James Comer

13. One scenario
Read aloud one scenario from the book, pages