Poverty's Role in America's Education Conundrum

Within the past ten years, there has been a grand effort in the United States to invigorate its education systems with sweeping changes being implemented. For instance, standardization of learning outcomes ensures that all children will learn the same material. Rigor has increased. Student achievement is quantified and the data drives decisions regarding curriculum and instruction. Teachers, schools, and school systems are being held more accountable for student achievement. Swaths of legislation, education programs, and volunteer efforts have attempted to tackle the issue. This "reform" of sort has brought much success to struggling schools and school districts.  However, time and time again, many efforts still miss the mark, and the country's educational system still lags behind much of the developed world. One reason for this may not be an issue with the educational system but more so of child poverty.

Earlier this year, UNICEF published a report detailing child poverty rates in the richest countries of the world. Interestingly enough, the United States, with 23.1% of its children living in relative poverty, ranks the 2nd highest among the world's 35 richest countries in terms of children living in poverty. If this is the case, it is no wonder that many failing schools exist in poor areas and much of our efforts need to be focused on the eradication of poverty in those school zones.

How exactly does poverty affect learning? Children raised in poverty encounter a number of external stressors that children living outside of poverty don't come into contact with: they receive less cognitive stimulation other than what goes on in school, emotional and social challenges of parents lead to children not having many of their crucial needs met, and they receive insufficient nutrition and healthcare. Each of these stressors are detrimental to the developing brain, and the combination of two or more of them working in tandem generally results in poor behavior and/or academic performance in school. It is no wonder then that there is a gulf in achievement between more affluent students and those living in poverty.

As we can see, the answer to the country's conundrum in regards to academic achievement may not solely be one that concerns the education systems. With a sizable population of school-aged children living in poverty, there seriously needs to be an effort to relieve and eradicate poverty and its effects in zones of failing schools.

The New Adult Education

In years past, when people heard the words "Adult Education", a certain stereotypical image came to mind. One pictured a high school dropout who finally had come back to school in order to obtain a GED. These students accomplished this by going to night school at a small technical institution in a program that may have ranged from a few weeks to a few months. At the end of the program, the students took the GED exam and, upon completion, received a diploma.

While there is no doubt that these students still exist today, "Adult Education" has evolved into something much broader that includes the following:

• Adult basic education programs- these include General Education Development (GED) programs along with adult high school programs.
• ESL (English as Second Language) programs- these include classes for adults who's main language is not English and need to learn the language in order to pursue the job or career of their choice
• Vocational and technical diploma/certification programs- these programs prepare students to work in a specific trade, craft, or technology.
• Apprenticeship programs- formal, on the job training leading to journeyman status in a skilled craft or trade
• Work related learning- classes designed to increase the efficiency of employees 
• College and university degree programs- classes are designed to count towards a degree ranging from an associates to terminal degrees.

Along with being able to serve the learning needs of almost any adult, Adult Education programs have become extremely streamlined in helping students reach career goals. Providers now create highly specialized programs that focus on desired segments of a local population. This increased specialization in turn creates opportunities for people that may not have been available without the program along with increasing the level of education of the population as a whole. One such institution that has streamlined its programs is Central Georgia Technical College. Boasting 190 certificate, diploma, and degree programs, campuses and centers in 7 counties in Georgia, and online and distance learning programs, CGTC can offer courses in just about any industry imaginable. 

However, one program that CGTC offers mirrors a trend in a number of other cities. At no cost, the PowerUp program helps students earn their GED in 6 months along with assisting them with jumpstarting a career. CGTC understands that there are many environmental issues that may block students from participating and the PowerUp program offers eligible students childcare, meals, transportation, and more. Many Adult Education programs are doing the same by recognizing that people aren't completing their educations due to lack of competence. More often than not, those who participate in the programs drop out because of happenings outside of school. Schools realize that if they can help students remove or simply get around those barriers, then they may have a chance of changing a few lives.

And that, in itself, is good.

Macon Big Sister Receives National Award

Shatia Y. Edwards was named as the national Big Sister of the Year recently at a national conference in Dallas, Texas. 29-year-old Edwards has been a mentor and Big Sister to her Little Sister, Ka' Necia for the last eight years since she was a student at Mercer University looking to get involved in her community. According to the article Shatia's little sister said, “I was really bad; I used to always get in trouble. When I met Shatia, I trusted her right away. I realized I was acting out to get attention. I get all the attention I need from Shatia. I’m really thankful; I don’t know what kind of person I would be if I didn’t have my Big Sister." Ka'Necia's mother agreed saying, Where we live, there’s a lot of crime and violence. When you expand a child’s opportunities it makes a difference." This fall Ka'Necia enters Spellman College on a full scholarship, attributing her success largely to the relationship she build with her big sister Shatia. Below is a photo of Shatia and Ka'Necia at the Big Brothers Big Sisters banquet in Dallas, TX after selected as Big Sister of the Year.

Recently, however Shatia and her Little Sister Ka'Necia received what might be an even bigger honor--an opportunity to meet with President Obama in the Oval office. The 2011 and 2012 Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Year traveled to Washington, DC last week to meet with the president and be recognized for their success. Below is a photo of all the award recipients outside the White House. We will show you pictures from inside President Obama's office soon!

Read the full article here.

Federal MPN Funding Increase for FY 2013

We just got some very exciting news!

According to the Promise Neighborhood Institute website, "the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $80 million for Promise Neighborhoods in the FY 2013 budget." This is a huge step for Promise Neighborhood, although the budget must still be approved by the House next week.

This bring us one step closer to President Obama's request of $100 million toward the Promise Neighborhood Initiative. According to the article, "The Promise Neighborhoods program, initiated in 2010 with $10 million, received $30 million in 2011, and $60 million this year. The FY 2013 appropriations amount approved by the Senate would be an increase of $20 million from the FY 2012 appropriation...."

With a $20 million increase over last year, the timing couldn't be better for us to apply for a Promise Neighborhood Implementation Grant! Our application is due in just over a month and we are working hard here at MPN to prepare for several more successful years in Macon.

Memorandum to create School Conflict Diversion Committee Signed

According to a recent article in the Macon Telegraph, we can hope to see fewer students in juvenile court soon. Many judges, law officials and others signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to send fewer students who commit non-felony offenses to juvenile court. “We hope (it) will bring a great outcome, not only for the youth who will come through this protocol, but for the school system in general and in the Bibb County community as well,” said attorney Veronica McClendon with the Georgia Legal Services Program, which helped put the agreement together.

According to the article, this agreement states that students who commit minor infractions, such as schoolyard fights, would be sent to a School Conflict Diversion Committee (made up of several of Promise Neighborhood's partners) School Superintendant, Romain Dallemand, emphasized that this new program does not condone or excuse negative behavior, but gives students a second chance at staying out of the court system. Normal felony charges would be handled by local officials. District Attorney, Greg Winters, agrees. “This isn’t giving a blank check to students at our school,” he said. “I wouldn’t allow that, and I wouldn’t be a part of that.”Clayton County issued a similar program in 2004 with great results. It is said that 70 percent fewer weapons were reported on campus, 87 percent decrease in fights and 20 percent in graduation rates.

Takeyah, our summer intern agrees. "Macon Promise Neighborhood would agree with everybody going for the memorandum because it shows that students make mistakes and the should have a chance to redeem their self. Even though this is a work in progress it will soon be finalized." With one of the overarching goals of Promise Neighborhood to increase graduation rates, this could prove a very successful program. According to McClendon, having any interaction with the court system increases the likelihood of a second encounter. We want our students off the streets, out of the courts, and in school. This program is a step in the right direction.

Read the full story here to hear more from our very own Veronica McClendon, a member of the Promise Neighborhood Partner's Council and co-chair of the Health and Safety committee.

Bibb County Mentors Project

Our Macon Promise Neighborhood intern, Takeyah, has been helping us blog about things happening in the Promise Neighborhood! Here's what she had to say about a few big events in our neighborhood:

Bibb County's Mentors Project had 20 out of 23 seniors graduate from high school this year. This is a record setting number of students with 87% of seniors in the Mentors Project graduating from high school. Additionally, two local students received National Merit Scholarships based on their academic achievements. One student was given a scholarship to attending Auburn University and another was given a scholarship to attend Georgia Tech. 

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/05/27/2040333/eighty-seven-percent-of-mentors.html#storylink=cpy
ead more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/05/27/2040333/eighty-seven-percent-of-mentors.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/05/27/2040333/eighty-seven-percent-of-mentors.html#storylink=cpy

Four free D.A.R.E. camps are available to children ages 9-15 this summer thanks to the Macon Police Department, Bibb County Schools, and Central Georgia Technical College (all MPN partners). During the free summer camps, Bibb county students can learn about drug and violence prevention. The camps will include free breakfast and lunch and a field trip! The schedule for the camps is as follows:

June 4-8: Appling Middle School

June 11-15: Weaver Middle School

June 18-22: Ballard Middle School

June 25-29: Central Georgia Technical College’s sports facility

According to the article, "For more information or to register, contact Macon Police’s Youth and Intervention Unit at (478) 803-2700."

"Actions like this are definitely what the Macon Promise Neighborhood stands for," said Takeyah. "In the MPN, they're basically striving to help the disadvantaged neighborhood become the ideal community to live in and the Mentors Project just proved it was possible." Read the full story here.

MPN Summer Internship Program

Promise Neighborhood According to our interns:
"...it gives you an opportunity to get more involved in your community."
"...it teaches your how to have a job and keep one."
"...it provides you with help for your future."
"Promise Neighborhood gives minors a chance to experience their career in real-life situations"
"...it helps students get a head start on their careers...."
"It is a plan to promise children good things and keep them away from trouble."
"Promise Neighborhood mean helping out the community, teaching teenagers what its like to have a job.... Its a good way to keep kids out of trouble and to have them doing something positive this summer."

Our summer interns started work last week with several community organizations including First Choice Primary Care, Mercer University's Tift College of Education, Boys and Girls Club, Macon Housing Authority, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Centenary Church. Our 22 interns will work for four weeks doing a variety of tasks from office work to assisting with summer camps.

"I am an office assistant at Big Brothers Big Sisters Heart of Georgia," said Kevin, "and the best part of my job is learning business tips and communication ideas." Tanaji, who also works at Big Brothers Big Sisters said that her favorite part of her job was learning new things and helping out in the office. Interns agree that their jobs are teaching them valuable work and life skills that will assist them later in life. When asked what Promise Neighborhood means to her, Shoterricka said that, "it means a lot to me because it is preparing me for my future and getting me ready for the real world."

All of our summer interns live (and now work) in the Promise Neighborhood and hope to go to college after they graduate from high school. Our interns' career aspirations include everything from a firefighters to an engineer, a cosmetologist, a CSI investigator, and a pharmacist. We can't wait to see what the future holds for our interns!

Macon Promise Neighborhood Blog

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