Does Poverty Equal Low Expectations?

In an article about poverty and education, Michelle Rhea, Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools tells about some examples of successful schools that are overcoming the obstacles of poverty, while others with the same challenges fail. The primary difference between the successful schools and the failing schools is not the kids. It is the adults. Rhea explains,

"What is keeping us from bringing such examples to scale is not a lack of solutions, but a frailty of belief. We can absolutely replicate and expand success, and poverty does not have to mean low achievement and expectations."

In Berwyn, where about 70% of students are low-income and many children are faced with the challenges that come from living in poverty, her words are as relevant as any place. Do we accept low achievement and low expectations or will we implement the proven solutions and replicate the successes that exist elsewhere?

Read the full article here.