Issue Paper Snapshot Socio-Economic Conditions and Student Achievement

Low family income, along with other factors linked with poverty, are correlated with lower levels of academic achievement. This does not mean that poor children cannot or do not learn at high levels. However, ignoring the effects of poverty in any discussion of ways to improve student learning avoids a central issue in the schooling of millions of poor children. Addressing what can be done to enhance the social capital needed for learning is essential.

Talking Issues

• Researchers have found that many poor children lack what is called social capital. Social capital includes:
  • a sense of academic achievement,
  • a sense of knowing (e.g., a wide range of enrichment experiences outside the school setting),
  • a sense of connectedness with the school and community, and
  • a sense of well-being.
• Children get social capital by
  • being read to,
  • interacting with loving adults, and
  • exposure to the world outside their immediate home and neighborhood.
• smaller classes and smaller schools can help overcome the absence of social capital that so many disadvantaged children have. For example, students are less likely to be anonymous or to “fall through the cracks” in a small school or small class environment.

For More Information

The complete issue paper

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