Jennifer Provencher- Blog 7

            This week’s chapter entailed learning all about the Structural and Social Inequalities in Schooling. I found this chapter extremely interesting. All the information on low-socioeconomic status, family structures and neighborhood were relevant to me as my practicum is in a very low socioeconomic school. I was able to further educate myself on the barriers that my students face on a day-to-day basis, which was really helpful.

            I really liked the insight on school readiness in the chapter. As the textbook states “one reason that children from less advantaged families do worse at school is because they often lack school readiness” (195). School readiness is defined as “ a child’s developmental stage at which he or she is able to participate in and benefit from early learning experiences” (195). At my practicum school there is no doubt that our students (in a kindergarten classroom) lack school readiness. However, to help the students out and to somewhat get them prepared for kindergarten the school runs a half day program on afternoon a week called kindergarten here we come. In this program students learn very basic skills such as following routines, a general idea of the ABC’S, counting, etc. Without the program, our children would certainly not get the education in kindergarten that they would need.

            I also really liked the information about neighbourhood effects (196).  I have certainly seen first hand the effects that a neighborhood has on children and their academic achievement. In the area that I live and work in the children are very blessed. They have everything they could ever want and their school performance is right on track. There is little to no behavioral problems and parents are heavily involved in their children’s lives. However, the polar opposite is true for my practicum placement. Children have very little of everything (parental involvement, material objects, even food). Every day is a struggle for some of them.

Discussion question: What are your thoughts on neighbourhood effects on children of high, middle, and low class?