The Impact of Poverty on the Education System. 

Poverty shapes the quality of our education system- Poorer areas may need more support to provide equity for all students. Providing a safe learning environment will become challenging without access to the funding they will need to support the students. Students living in poverty may require more resources like computers or the Internet at home to complete assignments. In addition, the parents of these students may work longer hours or multiple jobs, which may cause them to be unavailable to help their children complete assignments.  

Public schools in low-income areas are victimized alongside the students who attend them- Lack of funding In these schools affects how teachers provide for their students. Teachers often have to use their own money for classroom activities, materials, etc., that the students will use throughout the day. Teachers that provide a school supplies list at the beginning of the year allow the teachers to prepare materials and Items that the students will use throughout the year. However, teachers in lower-income areas need help with parents providing materials for their kids. 

For children who live in poverty,  the burdens that they experience daily can be detrimental to their mental health, jeopardizing their success in school and their chances of escaping poverty in adulthood.- Children In Poverty endure more stress than children from a higher-Income. This stress can increase the likelihood of these children suffering from mental health issues. Some of these stressors are; parental stress, not having their basic needs met, lack of support systems, exposure to violence, vandalism, crime, and drug use, housing and food insecurity, and unemployment. The children living In poverty don't always experience these stressors or share them simultaneously. However, exposure to these stressors can highly affect their mental health and academic success. Children that live In poverty might struggle with concentrating, comprehending, interacting with others, staying motivated, and exhibiting appropriate behavioral or emotional responses. 

As a teacher, they must know how to empower their students and help them do their best- Here are five ways that teachers can help students that live In poverty;  

1.  Hold high expectations for all students 

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Set Goals 

               • Hold students accountable for classroom expectations 

               • Be a role model for your students

2.  Exposing students to places outside the classroom 

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Field trips 

               • Bring In career professionals to speak with the students.

3.  Building relationships with both your students and their parents  

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Let your students know that they can trust you 

               • Foster respect and trust 

4.  Teach them social-emotional learning strategies  

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Use different techniques to regulate their feelings 

5. Create a positive learning environment  

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Teach your students to be compassionate and respectful towards one another 

               • Model kindness 

Poverty In schools has negatively Impacted students and their mental health. It has affected the student's educational experiences and everyday life experiences. Teachers have found ways to help their students who experience poverty, but ultimately, they cannot remove them from poverty.