Hidden Rules!

Can youMake

ADifference in

My Life?

As of August 2007, 14.8% of people in W. V. live in poverty.

Generational Poverty is often evident in the educational progress

of Appalachian Children.

Ruby Payne

Cowen, West Virginia is a small town in the center of Appalachia. Over 50% of students enrolled in the local school

are living in generational poverty.

Here is part of their story.

In generational poverty, survival, relationships, and entertainment arethe forces that determine decisions. Below are some of the more

common hidden rules. Once again, these hidden rules are based upon patterns of behaviors. There are exceptions to every pattern.

Ruby Payne

Children in generational poverty do not hold the same values as children from Middle Class

Families.

Teachers need to know my hidden rules to reach me

It is about quantity; having enough is what matters

This is good. I wonder if there will be food at home tonight!

67% students in this school get free lunch.

Fighting – How conflicts are resolved

Done physically with fists and bodies

You xo# /& ! ####/Let’s take care ofThis here and now

– How individuals see themselves in the world

Local; rarely leaving the state or even the county

My world is Cowen W V .I never want to leave, everything is perfect here. Let the restof the world take care of itself.

Time – How it is viewed

and perceived

It is about the present – living in the moment and meeting immediate needs

TroutSeason ! Who needs school?

Destiny – Fate vs. choices Destiny – Fate vs. choices

Destiny – Fate vs. choices

Believe in fate; not much can be done to mitigate chance

Possessions – What is important to own

People and relationships

Why am Ithe only

boyIn this Class?

Love and Acceptance – What determines love and acceptance

Whether the individual is liked

I think this will be a good year, my teacher

likes me!

Are you willing to try?

willing to make a difference?

meet me in my world?

accept my life without pity?

Listen to my unsaid words?

understand my fears and hunger?

love me for being me?

If you can truly answer yes

TEACH ME!

If the answer is no

You will not fool me! So go away!

The Facts:

• The income per capita is $14,229, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $24,989.

Education

Pupil/Teacher Ratio 14 to 1Students per Librarian 1817 to1Students per Counselor 5682 yr College Grad. 2.18%4 yr College Grad. 3.00%Graduate Degrees 3.30%High School Grads. 68.52%

Only you can make the difference!

Will someonetake the time to even try to help?

Generational Poverty effects everyone. To help one student: play by the hidden rules, change the pattern and help create a better world

References:

• http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Cowen-West_Virginia.aspx

• http://www.ext.wvu.edu/cyfar/rut/hiddenrules.htm

• http://www.census.gov

These sites were last reviewed 3.15.09