Economically Disadvantaged

Eligibility

The term “economically disadvantaged family or individual” refers to such families or individuals who are:

• determined by the Secretary to be low-income according to the latest available data from the Department of Commerce.

Secondary level identification may be made by the following criteria:

• Eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunch
• Eligibility for participation in programs assisted under the Workforce Investment Act
• Eligibility for TANF/public assistance funds
• Annual income of the individual or family is at or below the national poverty level
• Self-Sufficiency Standard for Illinois

Postsecondary level identification may be made by the following:

• Recipient of a Pell Grant or comparable State program of need-based financial assistance
• Annual income of the individual or family is at or below the national poverty level or the
• Self-Sufficiency Standard for Illinois
• Participant or participant’s family is a recipient of public assistance
• Participant is eligible for participation in programs assisted under the Workforce Investment Act

 

Strategies for Success

• Include tactile/kinesthetic activities in every lesson.
• Plan and label tasks.
• Utilize Sentence Frames, Questions Stems and Mental Models.
• Graphic organizers.
• Establish parameters for classroom noise level.
• Don’t pursue argument.
• Let student have last word, not last forty words.
• Have student participate in a four choice process.
• When mediating a conflict situation, or disciplining say: “I need a plan from you.”
• Teach student how to substitute phrases for inappropriate or vulgar comments.
• Ask student how he/she likes to receive compliments.
• Handle “in your face” encounters with personal strength.
• When disciplining for bad behavior, stress what choices student will make for next time.
• Reframe.
• Deliver information to parents in a story and ask them to help you in understanding the situation; allow them to draw conclusions.
• Don’t accept bad behavior, but don’t take it personally.
• Put yourself on the same team as the parent—“I know that you love your child and don’t want your child hurt but this behavior is hurting your child.”
• Postsecondary strategies.
• Provide a textbook rental or textbook lending library.
• Strengths/Challenges.

Source: List derived from printed materials and videos authored by Ruby Payne concerning the topic Framework for Understanding Poverty. Materials available at www.ahaprocess.com and from Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support Supporting special populations for success brochures, (2002). Normal, IL: Illinois State University.

Illinois Resources

• Assisting Economically Disadvantaged Students as They Transition into the Workplace,
  FY 06 New Look Project, Lewis and Clark Community College profile
• llinois Center for Specialized Professional Support. (2002) Supporting learners with economic or academic disadvantage for success brochure ( download as pdf) and
• upplemental Materials (links to Word docs listed below).

• Activities for Professional Development
• Effective Practices
• Resources
• Miscellaneous Information

 

Additional Resources to Explore

Project for School Innovation
Self Evaluation: Supporting At-Risk Students
197A Centre Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Ph: 617.825.0703
Fax: 617.825.1829
E-mail: psi@psinnovation.org
www.psinnovation.org

Bridges Out of Poverty
by Ruby Payne, Philip DeVol, Terrie D. Smith

A Framework for Understanding Poverty

Understanding Learning, the How, the Why, the What
by Ruby Payne

Hidden Rules of Class At Work
by Ruby Payne and Don L. Krabill

Aha! Process, Inc.
P.O. Box 727
Highlands, TX 77562
Phone: 281/426-5300
Phone: 800/868-8602

Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By in America
by Barbara Ehrenreich
Henry Holt and Company
New York

The Working Poor: Invisible in America
by David Shipler
Alfred A. Knopf
New York

Fact Sheets and Issue Briefs on Secondary Level At-Risk Students
Alliance For Excellent Education
1201 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite 411
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-828-0828
Fax: 202-828-0821
alliance@all4ed.org

Working with Economically Disadvantaged Students : Teaching Tips

Misconceptions About Disadvantaged
Students

The Young Entrepreneur Alliance
The Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (YEA) was founded on the belief that teens from all walks of life have innate talents, waiting to be discovered.  YEA helps low-income teens realize their economic potential and take steps toward financial independence by owning and running viable businesses.

Teaching At-Risk Students
Teachnology provides free and easy to use resources for teachers dedicated to improving the education of today's generation of students.

Teen Help Resource

Providing Effective School for Students At Risk

Why the Disadvantaged Drop Out
reprinted from Morrison, J. L. (1973). Why the disadvantaged drop out: The administrators' view. College Student Journal, 7(4), 54-56.

My Friends Place— Resource Center for
Homeless Youth
Founded in 1988, My Friend's Place is a nonprofit Resource Center offering a comprehensive continuum of care that includes free emergency resources such as food and clothing in combination with health, educational, and therapeutic services to over 1,000 homeless youth and their children each year.