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IDSL 894 - Book Report

A Framework for Understanding Poverty


by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.
Presenters: Group 3
Steve Nunez Troy Boquette Pam Lau Marc Thomas

February 18, 2014

Veronica Wilkerson Johnson

Book Report - A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.

Table of Contents

In this presentation, Group 3 will review A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by


Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D. in the context of the following categories and presenters:
1. Introduction: Dr. Ruby K. Paynes innovative discovery through teaching - Her
experiential quest understand - Veronica Wilkerson Johnson
2. Theory and Self Reflection: Key elements of the framework that Payne has
presented - The distinctions between the poor, middle-class and wealthy; and the
rules by which they live - Troy Boquette

3. Critique: Presenting a scholarly analysis of Dr. Paynes work - her methodology, her
data, her conclusions - Marc Thomas

4. Application: How this framework can inform our approach to issues of student

5. Conclusion and Discussion

success in the classroom as well as in the support being provided outside of the
classroom - Pam Lau and Steve Nunez

Book Report - A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.

Introduction

A Framework for Understanding Poverty came about as


a result of Dr. Ruby K. Paynes 24 year quest to better
understand the unique differences among her
students, and the ways in which the socio-economic
classes from which they hailed - poor, middle-class or
wealthy - affected their ability to learn and achieve
academically. Over the years she gathered
fascinating data about the everyday lives of students,
including the unspoken, or hidden rules that
dictated their thoughts and actions in all situations
based on their affiliations as poor, middle-class, or
wealthy children.

Introduction

Dr. Payne further distinguished poor


individuals as being in either situational or
generational poverty, and explained the
hidden rules under which they were raised,
and the ways in which their thought
processes, social patterning, and cognitive
strategies were formed and continually
impacted.

Introduction

Whether as a principal of an affluent


elementary school in Illinois, or as a college
presenter in Houston, Dr. Paynes data
regarding these undeniable influences on
educational attainment have clearly
benefited her work as an educator, and the
work of countless others.

Theory and Self Reflection


Dr. Payne suggests that poverty does
not know race, ethnicity, national origin
or any other demographic that is usually
stereotyped as impoverished.
What economic class can you survive in?
Take the following quasi quiz to find out
which class you can survive in the
easiest.

Answer the questions below


regarding living in Poverty

I know which churches and sections of town have the best


rummage sales.
I know which grocery stores garbage bins can be accessed
for thrown-away food.
I know how to get someone out of jail.
I know how to physically fight and defend myself
physically.
I know how to get a gun, even if I have a police record.
I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the
Laundromat.
I know how to live without electricity and a phone.
I know how to move in half a day.
I know where the free medical clinics are.

Answer the questions below


regarding living in Middle Class

I know how to get my children into little league, piano


lessons, soccer, etc.
I know how to properly set a table.
I know which stores are mostly likely to carry the clothing
brands my family wears.
I know how to order in a nice restaurant.
I talk to my children about going to college.
I know how to get one of the best interest rates on my
new car loan.
I know how to help my children with their homework or
will call the school for assistance.
I know how to get a library card.
I know how to decorate the house for the different
holidays.

Answer the questions below


regarding living in Wealth

I can read a menu in French, English, and another


language.
I have several favorite restaurants in different countries of
the world.
During the holidays, I know how to hire a decorator to
identify the appropriate themes and items to decorate
the house.
I know who my preferred financial advisor, legal service,
designer and hairdresser are.
I have at least two residences that are staffed and
maintained.
I know how to enroll my children in the preferred private
schools.
I am on the boards of at least two charities.
I know the hidden rules of the Junior League.
I support or buy the work of a particular artist.

Where did you fall?

Poverty

Middle Class

Wealth

What does this mean?


Generational poverty creates a focus on
entertainment and relationships.
Generational middle class creates
decision making that focuses on work
and achievement.
The weight of decision making is on the
ramifications of financial, social and
political connections.

Hidden Rules Among Classes


Poverty

Middle Class

Wealth

Possessions

People

Things

One of a kind objects,


legacies, pedigrees.

Money

To be used, spent.

To be managed.

To be conserved,
invested.

Food

Key Question: Did you


have enough?
Quantity important

Key Question: Did you


like it? Quality
important.

Key Question: Was it


presented well?
Presentation important

Education

Valued and revered as


abstract but not as
reality.

Crucial for climbing


success ladder and
making money.

Necessary tradition for


making and maintaining connections.

Family
Structure

Matriarchal

Patriarchal

Depends on who has


money.

Humor

About people and sex.

About situations.

About social faux pas.

Analysis of the Methodology

The authors
premise that
poverty
inherently
inhibits the
formal learning
process is
presented
through a mixture
of research and
case study.

Methodology via Meta-analysis


Dr. Payne relied on 80
independent sources
to help draw her
conclusions.
Examples of the data
and underlying
research behind Dr.
Paynes premises, will
be discussed on the
next slides.

Methodology What Money Cant


Buy
Susan E. Mayers work What Money
Cant Buy: Family Income and Childrens
Life Chances is a key source for Paynes
book.
Dr. Mayer is a single parent and Public
Policy Professor/Dean at the University
of Chicago.

Methodology What Money Cant Buy


Dr. Mayers quantitative data come
primarily from two sources: the Panel
Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and
the National Longitudinal Survey of
Youth (NLSY).
More info: http://psidonline.isr.umich.
edu and http://www.bls.
gov/nls/nlsy97.htm.

Methodology The Hidden Injuries of


Class

Richard Sennett, labor


scholar and sociology
professor; and Jonathan
Cobb, analyst with the
Center for the Study of
Public Policy in
Massachusetts
researched and wrote
this work used to form
the basis for Paynes
book on poverty.

Methodology The Hidden Injuries of


Class
This work is predominantly qualitative,
based on interviews and observations of
working-class people and settings.
Payne uses applies the workplace stories
in Hidden Injuries to help explain
higher education challenges for students
from poverty.

First Year Experience (FYE) at SVCC


Mandatory for first-time, degree seeking students
16 week, first semester course
In lieu of a true role model, class supplies an
instructor that helps students navigate the difficult
transition to college.
Weekly units include

Finances/budgets/financial aid
Purpose of education & their career options
Classroom survival skills
Goal setting
Time management
Physical and spiritual health

Together We Achieve minority

retention program at Parkland College


Learning community of black males
High risk developmental students with
characteristics of generational poverty

Strategies to address
generational poverty
Relationships and role models
Inculcation of internal structure
Intrusive advising to teach hidden
rules of academia and emotional
maturity
Instruction that builds cognitive
strategies and skills

Conclusion and Discussion


Dr. Ruby K. Payne explored class and
learning in ways that help shift the
paradigms of teaching.
We invite your insights and reflections.

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