Economic Hardships At Home Trickle Into The Classroom
The average kid at La Quinta Middle School is not enough to get a job, own a house, or pay bills. But they feel the effects of the economic tough times in the classroom.
As parents get laid off and homes foreclose, families are forced to move. Children are forced to give up their old schools, friends, and their sense of security.
“They have to pick up with the subject matter,” Principal Janet Seto explained. “It’s hard for them because they get caught mid-stream.”
Simply enough, the economy is impacting students and grades negatively, the principal said.
Experts say students whose families move two or more times in a year typically struggle in school. Reading and math scores decline, and it’s common for behavioral issues to increase.
“If they have stressors at home, they probably don’t know how to deal with it,” Principal Seto says. “Or they are having a difficult time coping so they act out.”
Children may not fully understand the economy, but financial problems at home are brought to school and get in the way of education.
“If they are pre-occupied by other problems, they can’t focus on studies. It’s hard for them.”
Educators say students should talk about concerns with parents or school counselors, so today’s economic struggles don’t weigh them down in the future.
