Root of the Problem

There are various differences in characteristics between families of different socioeconomic levels that leads to the disparity.

Summer Break

A time period that tends to fuel this socioeconomic literacy gap is summer break. Students from high socioeconomic status have the ability to participate in summer camps, travel and expose themselves to other cultures, or benefit from other learning enriching activities. (Waldfogel, 2012) This implies that out-of-school factors also have an impact on kids’ in school performance.

Home Environment

This point is further enforced by Durham and Smith who argue that people from lower income families have more work instability and maternal depression. As a result, mothers from these families struggle to provide a stable home environment that is also cognitively stimulating. (Durham & Smith, 2006) The importance of parenting style is further emphasized by Aikens and Barabian. They argue that socioeconomic advantage is “mediated by home literacy environment, number of books available within the home to the child, parental involvement in the school, parental role strain and warmth, and provision of center-based care prior to kindergarten.” Aikens, & Barbarin, O., 2008, p. 247).

The Community

Aikens and Barbrin's research also concluded that neighborhood and school conditions such as makeup of student population, poverty rates in school was a bigger contributor after Kindergarten. All in all, there are various smaller characteristics that place students form higher-income families at an advantage. However, after understanding the cause of the problem and with appropriate and effective intervention, the education system can work to lessen the socioeconomic reading gap.

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