A Framework for Understanding Poverty aha! Process, Inc., Highlands, TX Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.

The mission of aha! Process, Inc. is to positively impact the education and lives of individuals in poverty around the world.

This is a workshop about economic diversity, not racial or cultural diversity.

Day One Objectives: Participants will be able to … Analyze the eight resources of a student. Explain language registers, discourse patterns, and story structure. Give examples of hidden rules among classes. Identify discipline interventions that are effective. Explain mediation and cognitive strategies. Explain how economic realities affect patterns of living.

Establish a mental framework for understanding economic realities. Objective for Module 1:

1. Poverty is relative. Key Point

2. Poverty occurs in all races. Key Point

U.S. Median Income for Persons Age 25 and Older, by Sex and Educational Attainment: 2003 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census MaleFemaleMaleFemale Overall89,55897,319$37,288$25,499 Less Than Ninth Grade5,8045,943$18,710$12,978 Grades 9-12 (no diploma)7,7668,233$22,196$13,695 HS Diploma (includes GED)27,88931,921$31,411$20,759 Associate Degree6,7519,013$40,454$26,872 Bachelor's Degree16,63217,134$51,507$35,109 Master's Degree6,1576,451$62,495$42,466 Professional Degree1,9251,027$100,000$56,143 Doctorate1,621801$77,525$56,182 Numbers of Persons with Income (in thousands) Median Income in 2003 Dollars

GROUPAVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME RANGES: 2003 LOWEST 20%$0–$17,984 SECOND 20%$17,985–$34,000 THIRD 20%$34,001–$54,440 FOURTH 20%$54,441–$86,860 HIGHEST 20%$86,861+ *TOP 5% (part of highest 20%) $154,120+ Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

POVERTY STATISTICS Extreme-poverty, poverty, and near-poverty rates for children under age 5 by living arrangement: Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

According the U.S. Census Bureau seven states- Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, SOUTH DAKOTA, Texas and Virginia- showed increases in their poverty rates based on two-year averages ( and ).

3. Generational and situational poverty are different. Key Point

4. This work is based on patterns. All patterns have exceptions. Key Point

5. Schools operate from middle-class norms and values. Key Point

Survival Relationships Entertainment Work Achievement Material security Political, financial, social connections Key Point

6.Individuals bring with them the hidden rules of the class in which they were raised. Key Point

7. There are cultural differences in poverty. This study is cross-cultural and focuses on economics. Key Point

8. We must neither excuse them nor scold them. We must teach them. Key Point

9. We must teach them that there are two sets of rules. Key Point

10. To move from poverty to middle class, one must give up (for a period of time) relationships for achievement. Key Point

11. Two things that help one move out of poverty are: education relationships Key Point

12. Four reasons one leaves poverty are: too painful to stay vision or goal key relationship special talent/skill Key Point

" No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship." –Dr. James Comer

Will be in control Will be smarter Will win more often Won’t be cheated Will be safe when you are old Also: Life is like a card game—you get bad hands The mind is tool or weapon that no one can take away You need to learn this, or do this, so that you: