MZC1 Socioeconomic status (SES)
School Low SES
Students may have difficulties in school in part because their upbringing emphasizes different behaviors from those valued in school. students from lower-class backgrounds are less willing to compete and are more interested in cooperating with their peers . Structural bias in traditional classrooms works against these children. Cooperative learning strategies at least part of the time with these students is recommended so that they receive instruction consistent with their cultural orientations. In addition, teachers may hold low expectations for children who are disadvantaged, and this can affect their motivation and achievement
Name three characteristics of schools that promote resilience in students who are disadvantaged.
Supportive school Community, a Safe and Orderly Environment, and Positive Teacher-Student Relationships. Other characteristics are high academic standards, structured schools and classes with clear rules, and widespread participation in after-school activities.
In what ways do schools tend to favor middle-class culture?
Because the culture of the school reflects mainstream middle-class values, and because most teachers are from middle-class backgrounds, the child from a different culture is often at a disadvantage. Understanding students' backgrounds is critical for effectively teaching both academic material and behaviors and expectations.
Child-Rearing Practices Middle and High SES
By the time they enter school, middle-class children are likely to be good at following directions, explaining and understanding reasons, and comprehending and using complex language. Middle-class parents are likely to express high expectations for their children and to reward them for intellectual development. They are likely to provide good models for language use, to talk and read to their children frequently, and to encourage reading and other learning activities. They are particularly apt to provide all sorts of learning materials for children at home, such as computers, books, and educational games. They are more likely to read to their children before they enter school. These parents are also likely to expose their children to learning experiences outside the home, such as museums, concerts, and zoos. They are more likely to be able to help their children succeed in school and to be involved in their education. Middle-class parents are likely to expect and demand high achievement from their children; to enhance their intellectual development.
School Middle and High SES
Competitive environment of school is good for middle class children. Characteristically middle-class values are individuality and future time orientation, which schools prefer. Most U.S. classrooms operate on the assumption that children should do their own work. Helping others is often defined as cheating. Students are expected to compete for grades, for your attention and praise, and for other rewards. Competition and individual work are values that are instilled early on in most middle-class homes.
Child-Rearing Practices Low SES
Many children from low-income families receive an upbringing that is less consistent with expected school behavior, working-class or lower-class children may be less experienced in following directions, explaining and understanding reasons, and comprehending and using complex language Children from disadvantaged homes are more likely to have poor access to health care and may suffer from diseases of poverty such as lead poisoning. Their mothers are less likely to have received good prenatal care. These factors can delay cognitive development, which also affects school readiness. Of course low-income families lack resources of all kinds to help their children succeed. For example, children from disadvantaged families are far more likely to have uncorrected vision, hearing problems, asthma, or other health problems that may inhibit their success in school. working-class and lower-class parents are more likely to demand good behavior and obedience.
Summer Learning Middle and High SES
high-SES children continue to make progress over the summer. Middle-class children are more likely to be engaged in school-like activities during the summer and to have available more school-like materials.
Name the four factors of social class, or SES
income, occupation, education, and prestige in society
Communities Middle and High SES
middle-class children are likely to attend schools with greater resources, better-paid (and therefore better-qualified) teachers, and other advantages.
Communities Low SES
placed at risk for school failure by the characteristics of the communities they live in and the schools they attend.; differences, schools serving low-income neighborhoods may have to spend much more on security, on services for children having difficulties, and on many other needs, leaving even less for regular education . This lack of resources can significantly affect student achievement. In very impoverished neighborhoods, crime, a lack of positive role models, inadequate social and health services, and other factors can create an environment that undermines children's motivation, achievement, and mental health.
Summer Learning Low SES
low-SES children fall behind over the summer Working-class and lower-class children may be receiving less academically relevant stimulation at home and are more likely to be forgetting what they learned in school.
