RUNNING HEAD: POVERTY AND EDUCATION 1

America, Poverty, and Education: A Review of Literature

Erica Dominguez
University of Texas at El Paso

















POVERTY AND EDUCATION 2
Abstract
Poverty in America is a major problem that is not only a consequence of little to no income, but
also affects other major problems such as education, health, and the right to live an adequate life.
Poverty and education are both involved in a never ending cycle with each, and leave those in
poverty at a standstill. This review of literature will go in depth as to what causes poverty,
federal programs to alleviate it, effects on poverty in the United States, and changing the country
for the better through education.

















POVERTY AND EDUCATION 3
Poverty and education are a symbiotic relationship that constantly and continually creates
a never ending circle. Education should not be biased toward those who can afford it; leaving
those who cant, deprived of their right to happiness, citizenship, and equality. It is a basic
human right to live above the poverty line and be able to afford a means of livingand
education. This tail chasing cycle starts when someone who is living in poverty must drop out
of school to work or help another family member. Because of this dropout that person cannot
continue on their academic journey to a higher education, and regain their dignity in the
government system. This person is now disadvantaged since they carry two heavy weights on
their backs: no high school diploma, and no money to achieve it. Therefore, the circle becomes:
cant get a job because of the lack of education; cant get an education because there is no money
to fund it; cant earn money because no job will hire an uneducated person. And so on.
Education should be accessible to every American citizen, as their duty to be able to learn and
grow with the rapid growing country they live in. To gain an understanding on the importance of
poverty, and the effects poverty has on education, the following questions need to be considered:
1. What causes poverty, and are there federal programs taking place to alleviate
poverty and increase education?
2. Is it a right to live above the poverty line and a right to education?
3. What are the effects poverty has on children in the United States? More so, on
education?
4. Can education change the country for the better?
The following review on literature will provide insight on what causes poverty and ways to
eliminate it, discuss effects poverty has had in the United States, provide information regarding
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 4
the growth, or reduction, education has on the country, and a look into a few federal programs
that are meant to help, and reduce poverty.

What causes poverty, and are there federal programs taking place to alleviate it and
increase education?
By definition, poverty is the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or
means of support (dictionary.com). This definition gives a general and brief idea of what it
means to live in poverty. Legally, however, in 2014 one individual is said to be living in poverty
if they live below the poverty line of $11,670. This may seem as an easy identification of living
rates, but the causes of poverty, however, are hard to pinpoint. Many people believe people in
poverty are their own enemy, and cause themselves to live in the state that they do. Poverty is
passed from generation to generation, and not only do the poor feel forgotten by the government,
but also feel negative, inferior, passive, hopeless, and powerless (Cliffnotes). Although some
believe the poor cause their own poverty, there are at least three influences that impact the poor
and their way of living: the economy, family dissolution, and government spending (Haskins &
Sawhill).
The U.S. economy saw growth in the 1960s, but did not experience any alleviation in
poverty because nothing was done to help those at the bottom of the income distribution, which
then led to wage inequality (Haskins & Sawhill). Because of this, inflation-wages dropped
tremendously, and then rose again in the 1990s. The reason the economy increased in growth so
well was because of the low unemployment rates in America, causing a decrease in the average
poverty rate amongst Americans.
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 5
Figure 1








Source: Rector, Robert & Fagan, Patrick F. (February 6, 2003). The
Continuing Good News about Welfare Reform. Retrieved from
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2003/02/the-continuing-good-
news.
Child poverty rate is researched to be effected by the ways of family living, and has
demonstrated that children from
disadvantaged households perform
less well in school on average than
those from more advantaged
households (Ladd). Studies show
that families that consist of a
married couple are more likely to
raise their children above the
poverty line: One group of
prominent scholars estimated that
changes in family structure alone
would have raised the poverty rate from 13.3 percent in 1967 to 17 percent by 2003 (Cliffnotes)
(see Figure 1). The increase in poverty includes the constant growth of female-led families
throughout the years, therefore, the child poverty rate continues to rise.
Since Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty in 1965, there have been programs assigned for
the eradication of poverty. Although these programs are intended to help reduce the rate of
poverty, government spending on these programs is greater than inflation, and greater than
average GDP rates. Because of this, spending grew from about $89 billion to nearly $585
billion (Haskins & Sawhill). Government spending does not grow at the rate of inflation, and
also does not meet basic requirements such as bringing families up to the poverty line while
spending billions on people who already exceed the poverty line.
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 6
As a federal means for the government to increase education, in 1989, Congress passed
the Goals 2000: Educate America Act which
[The] government acknowledged that for many children having the opportunity to attend
school was not enough; but, because of the conditions of their childhood, some children
needed more help in order to be successful at school (Prince, Pepper, & Brocato).
This act emphasized the importance of all children attending a pre-k program, and prepared to
start school at a young age. The act acknowledged that children were not academically prepared
to learn, and children need a basic educational foundation before starting school.
To help decrease poverty, Welfare was initiated during the Great Depression to help those who
were living with little or no income, and do not have the means to meet a standard way of living
(Welfare). In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act which gives every state an annual amount to help those in need
of financial assistance. The eligibility of Welfare is determined by a number of factors such as
the number of people being supported in one household, the income for that household,
pregnancies, or unemployment. Welfare is meant to help those living in poverty to stand on their
own feet and make a living for themselves.
Although this program is meant to help those in need of financial aid, many believe
people living in poverty abuse Welfare and waste the tax dollars provided by those living in the
middle and upper class. According to Howard Baetjer,
poverty is finally overcome only when people are self-supporting. It is not enough that
they be living for the moment at an acceptable standard if they remain dependent, just as
one is not cured of a disease when he is taking medicine that eliminates his symptoms.
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 7
Although it may seem that Welfare has been a disadvantage to decreasing poverty rates,
it has helped more than it was expected to by decreasing poverty and child poverty by 2.9 million
from 1995 (Rector & Fagan).
Education is an important part to eliminating poverty and to continue the growth of the
country. Because of this, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was signed by President George
Bush on January 8, 2002. The NCLB Act was not only supposed to bring a standard education
level children are to have, but also provide support to those schools which have a high amount of
poor children (Education). The Title I program provides educational support to those children
who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in school. Because these poor children often do
not meet the education required to meet their full potential, this program provides up to $13.3
billion for students in high poverty schools (Department of Education).
Is it a right to live above the poverty line and right to education?
The United States is a capitalistic country which is based on the principle of individual
rights (Capitalism). It is a natural, human right to live at an adequate standard of living.
Everyone should have equal access to necessary rights such as: adequate food and nutrition,
clothing, housing and the necessary conditions of care when required (Icelandic). It is an
essential quality that every American may be able to interact with others, and fully participate in
ordinary everyday activities. It is a human right to be able to live above the poverty line which is
determined by two elements: the amount needed to buy a minimum of food, water, clothing, and
shelter, and being able to function in everyday life society (US Department). People living in
poverty lack these basic neccessities, and cannot recover from their burdends unless the
government helps them. Poverty is defined to be the exact opposite of the definition for human
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 8
Figure 2







Primary research, (2014). Erica Dominguez.
rights. Those living in poverty are deprived of basic neccesities such as access to food, water,
clothing, and shelter therefore, it is is a human right to live above the poverty line.
Part of being an American with natural rights is the rigth to an education. It is the concept
that all Americans should have equal rights in enriching themselves to reach their highest
academic potential. Along with the right to an adequate way of living, the right to receive
higher education on the basis of ability, the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and
the right to choose work can only be
exercised in a meaningful way after a
minimum level of education is reached
(Iceland). Education can allow children
and adults to move past poverty, and
fulfilling their rights to interact with the
rest of society. The right of education
requires states to make numerous and
various means of education accessible, and allow free or reduced education costs to those who
cannot afford it (see Figure 2). Education can allow economic benefits because with an
education, it is more likely that an individual will be provided a job and maintain a standard way
of living. The more people employed with a decent minimum wage reduces poverty rates and
fulfills the requirement for a basic human right.
What are the effects poverty has on children in the United States? More so, on
education?
Children living in poverty are more prone to being less active, suffer from low nutritional
value and preventable conditions, and educational decrease than those who are more advantaged.
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 9
A family's access to food due to poverty can prevent children from getting the nutrional diet they
need to function. Food-secure households means familys who are able to provide a full, healthy
meal to everyone in the household year-round. According to Prince, Pepper, and Bracato, In
2004, 12% of all households in the nation were considered food-insecure which means they had
difficulty meeting the most basic of all human needs and over 17% of those households included
children. Those living in poverty are more likely to not have health insurance, affecting those
children who may not be able be prevented in getting sick, or receiving the proper medical
attention they need when sick. Because of this, health clinics have been set up in some areas
where the schools have a large population of disadvantaged students to assure that all the
students have easy access to clinics when needed (Ladd).
Children may not only be affected by physical health because of poverty, but homes that
see domestic abuse, divorce, alcoholism, depressed parents, and work related stress (Ladd) due
to poverty can place a heavy burden on a childs shoulders, and affect their ability to learn, and
stay focused in class. This begins the never ending cycle of doing poorly in school, and never
excelling to reach a higher education, and then falling no job for support. Educating children
needs to start at the pre-k level to ensure a bright path for their future: One [program] focused
on the early years of childhood, and the other on four year olds and find that both programs
generate moderately large positive effects on third grade outcomes for both programs (Ladd).
Can education change the country for the better?
Education should be provided to all Americans to ensure a supported foundation, and growth in
the country. In a letter written to George Wyth, Thomas Jefferson stated that by far the most
important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowledge among the people. Even
the countrys Founding Father believed that education was the key to a successful country; not
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 10
Figure 3







Primary research, (2014). Erica Dominguez.
only in competition against other countries, but becoming successful as individuals. Growing
with the country, education has become more inclusive and of better quality, increasing
American economic and political leadership (US Department of Education). Education is not
only to obtain a diploma, but to be able to live and communicate intelligently with others in
society:
Skills are the key way in which education reduces poverty. Education makes it more
likely for men and women not just to be employed, but to hold jobs that are more secure
and provide good working conditions and decent pay. In so doing, education can not only
help lift households out of poverty, but also guard against them falling or falling back
into poverty (EFA Report).
Skills are whats needed to expand the country intellectually and innovatively. Through the skills
for education, this begins a new
positive cycle that can potentially
allow not only the growth of the
country, but growth in education as
well. As education increases, the
makings of new technology may
increase as well. This new
technology can be designated to new
ways of education: The challenge is to ensure that innovation plays a constructive role in
improving educational opportunities for billions of people who remain under-served in a rapidly
developing world (Kuboni et al.). According to primary research (see Figure 3), over 80% of
people agreed that education can change the country for the better. Technology and other
POVERTY AND EDUCATION 11
innovations provide students with better material, and an up-to-date setting for learning about the
changing world they live in. Using this knowledge, those students will eventually become the
next generation of innovators, world and political leaders, and challengers to others beginning
with education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poverty is not easy to target, and cannot be eradicated on the spot. There
are many factors, effects, and consequences needed to be taken into consideration in order to
alleviate poverty, and allow those living under the poverty line to regain their human rights as
individuals. Although poverty seems to be an issue all on its own, it is actually the cause and root
of multiple other effects around the country such as education, health, and a way of living.
Future research needs to be continued to find a better solution to eradicate poverty one that
will cause the least rippling effect to other areas in the country. At this moment, however,
education acts and Welfare will have to continue to relieve poverty as best as possible.










POVERTY AND EDUCATION 12
References
Baetjer, Howard Jr. (1984). Does Welfare Diminish Poverty? The Freeman. Retrieved from
http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/does-welfare-diminish-poverty.
Capitalism. Definition: Capitalism. Retrieved from http://www.capitalism.org/.
Cliffnotes. Causes and Effects of Poverty. Retrieved from
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and-effects-of-poverty.
Dictionary.com. Define: Poverty. Retrieved from
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Education Week. (2011). No Child Left Behind. Retrieved from
http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/no-child-left-behind/.
EFA Report. (2013). We will never eradicate poverty without quality education for all. Retrieved
from http://efareport.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/we-will-never-eradicate-poverty-
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Haskins, Ron & Sawhill, Isabel. (2007). Introducing the Issue. Journal Issue: The Next
Generation of Antipoverty Policies, 17(2).
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