Economically disadvantaged students: characteristics, examples, ways to help
Economically disadvantaged students meaning
Students from families or households with insufficient financial means or lower income levels are referred to as “economically disadvantaged students”.
So, economically disadvantaged students frequently endure financial troubles or challenges associated to poverty, which may have an impact on their educational options and experiences.
Simply, poverty means the inability to access basic human needs such as water, food, shelter, security, and so on. But in the modern economic world, human trafficking, prostitution, child soldiers are also concerned as the people who live in poverty situations. So, nowadays poverty is called as wide range of areas instead of the basic needs. In this essay, we will discuss how to reduce poverty (solution to poverty essay)
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What does economically disadvantaged mean?
In the context of education and social policy, the phrase “economically disadvantaged” is frequently used to identify and address the unique needs and obstacles that these students experience.
The obstacles that economically disadvantaged students may experience are often addressed through a combination of academic, social, and emotional support.
So, let’s consider about the economically disadvantaged student’s characteristics
Economically disadvantaged student’s characteristics / challenges faced by economically disadvantaged students
1. Low Family Income: Students that are economically disadvantaged come from low-income families. This income may be much less than the median income for their area or nation, below the poverty level, or both.
2. Limited Access to Resources: They frequently lack access to necessary resources and opportunities, such as decent housing, access to healthcare, a healthy diet, and materials for learning and extracurricular activities.
3. Basic Needs:How poverty affects classroom engagement? Economically disadvantaged students may experience difficulties in school, such as lower levels of academic achievement, poorer scores on standardized tests, and a greater propensity to enroll in institutions with fewer resources.
4. Limited Access to Honors and Advanced Courses: This may affect their ability to prepare for college and job prospects. They may have fewer access to honors and advanced courses.
5. Higher Mobility: Due to repeated movements or housing changes brought on by economic instability, a student’s education and social life may suffer.
6. Health Disparities: Students who are economically disadvantaged may encounter health disparities, such as a lack of access to routine healthcare, which may have an impact on their general well-being and ability to attend class.
7. Interventions and Support: They could find it difficult to provide for their basic requirements, such as healthy food, clothing, and school supplies.
8. College and Career Challenges: They may have challenges, like trouble accessing college applications and financial help, when pursuing higher education or career training after high school.
9. Lower emotional health: Economic difficulty can cause family stress, which can impair a student’s emotional health and ability to concentrate on their studies.
Economically disadvantaged student’s examples
As examples for economically disadvantaged students, we can mention the following groups.
1. Low-Income Families: Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds frequently come from homes where the average income is at or below the national or regional poverty level.
2. Single-Parent Families: Because they only have one source of income, single-parent families, particularly those led by a single mother, may experience economic hardship.
3. Families Relying on Government Assistance: In the US, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a government programme that provides financial support to families who are in need.
4. Homeless Students: Homeless students, including those living in temporary places such as shelters, cars, or temporarily with friends or family members, are among the most economically disadvantaged students.
5. Students in Public Housing: Families living in public housing may experience financial difficulties, and their kids frequently attend schools in underprivileged areas.
6. Families of Immigrants and Refugees: Families of immigrants and refugees who have recently immigrated to a new nation may experience financial difficulties while they adapt to their new surroundings.
7. Children of Farmworkers: Because of their parents’ seasonal or low-paying jobs, children of farmworkers or migrant workers sometimes experience economic adversity.
8. Students with Disabilities: Some students from low-income families struggle with disabilities that call for extra funding for specialized programmes and accommodations.
9. Teen Parents: Teen parents, who are also students, may have financial difficulties as they attempt to manage their obligations as parents and students.
10. Students from Historically Marginalized Communities: Systemic inequities may cause students from historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities to suffer disproportionately from economic adversity.
What are the most effective ways to support economically disadvantaged students
Supporting economically disadvantaged students necessitates a multifaceted strategy that takes into account their particular needs and difficulties. The best strategies for helping these adolescents frequently combine community-based, social, and educational programs. So, let’s consider that how to help economically disadvantaged students.
Resources for helping economically disadvantaged students/ How to help economically disadvantaged students?
1. Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education: This is one of the best effective programs for students at-risk. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can start school with a solid foundation in academic and social skills thanks to high-quality preschool and early childhood education programs.
2. Smaller class sizes can provide students more individualized attention and enable teachers to more effectively meet their requirements.
3. Highly Effective Teachers: In schools serving economically underprivileged populations, attract, keep, and support highly effective teachers. The success of students can be significantly impacted by effective teachers.
4. Targeted Academic Support: How to help economically disadvantaged students in the classroom? To assist students in catching up or excelling in their academics, offer additional academic support such as tutoring, after-school programmes, and summer enrichment activities.
5. Connect economically disadvantaged kids with mentors and role models who can offer advice and assistance, especially for planning a future education and profession.
6. Access to Technology: Especially in the digital age, make sure students have access to technology and the internet for homework and online study.
7. Another way of classroom supports for economically disadvantaged students is offer counseling services and initiatives that cater to students’ social and emotional needs, as economic hardship can cause stress and worry.
8. Provide thorough college and career counselling services to assist economically disadvantaged students in making plans for the future and obtaining further education or career training.
9. Financial Aid and Scholarships: To make higher education more affordable, make financial aid programmes, scholarships, and grants more accessible.
10. Community Partnerships: Work together with neighborhood businesses, nonprofits, and organizations to give students and their families access to services and support.
11. Offer all-inclusive, all-encompassing services that address the larger requirements of students and families, such as housing aid, access to healthcare, and mental health services.
12. Engage parents and families in their kids’ education through programs such as workshops, support groups, and participation in extracurricular activities.
13. Data-Driven activities: Gather and examine data to spot kids who might want more help and then customize activities accordingly.
14. Cultural Competency Training: To better comprehend and support the varied origins and experiences of economically disadvantaged pupils, make sure that educators and school employees get cultural competency training.
