Disrupting Poverty: Five Powerful Classroom Practices

by Kathleen M. Budge, William H. Parrett

Drawing upon decades of research and myriad authentic classroom experiences, Kathleen M. Budge and William H. Parrett dispel harmful myths, explain the facts, and urge educators to act against the debilitating effects of poverty on their students. They share the powerful voices of teachers—many of whom grew up in poverty—to amplify the five classroom practices that permeate the culture of successful high-poverty (1) caring relationships and advocacy, (2) high expectations and support, (3) commitment to equity, (4) professional accountability for learning, and (5) the courage and will to act. Readers will explore classroom-tested strategies and practices, plus online templates and exercises that can be used for personal reflection or ongoing collaboration with colleagues. Disrupting Poverty provides teachers, administrators, coaches, and others with the background information and the practical tools needed to help students break free from the cycle of poverty.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Reference

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2018

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember when Hillbilly Elegy was the book everyone was reading a few years ago? This is the practical version of that story - how to help students like J.D. Vance, the subject of Hillbilly Elegy. But it is so much more than strategies, historical references, and a can-do attitude. This book will challenge our deeply held convictions (and prejudices), invite us to open our hearts and minds, and empower us to have the courage to be better and do better. I love, love, love the questions at the end of each chapter. They lead us to truly think and respond to issues surrounding poverty. Guess what? So much of what we do (okay maybe all?) is about building relationships. When we do this, students will trust us to try new things, to work hard, to learn.

I wish my entire school would read this book, and we could discuss it at monthly faculty meetings. The focus may be on poverty, but it's relevant to everything we do in schools.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effective teaching is founded upon strong, mutually respectful relationships—that is the fundamental principle of this book. And, as with all of the strategies the authors discuss, teaching that works for students who live in poverty will work for all students.

Budge and Parrett wisely begin their book with a frank discussion of poverty, especially its impact on the perceptions and biases (both acknowledged and hidden) of teachers. Throughout this rather brief but nonetheless dense volume, they challenge readers to unlearn what they think they know about poverty, relearn its effects on students, and put that new knowledge into action. In the book’s subtitle, they modestly claim that they focus on “five powerful classroom practices” when in fact they mention a great many ways to disrupt poverty through sound classroom practice founded upon the fundamentals of constructivist pedagogy—or, as they characterize it, a “pedagogy of possibility” (p. 134).

Offering descriptions rather than prescriptions, the authors provide student-centered strategies founded upon theory, research, and the lived experiences of teachers (all of whom grew up in poverty themselves) whose voices are woven prominently throughout the text in the form of personal testimonials and reflections. These strategies can be adapted for just about any grade level and subject, and they complement a variety of teaching styles. Unsurprisingly, success with students who live in poverty is largely dependent upon the teacher’s chosen disposition, and the ideas in this book can help all teachers—from novices to veterans—boost their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and reflect on their practice. Highly recommended.

[Ceci | winstonandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource to use for professional development. The chapters are not only clear and concise, but also include activities, resources, and questions for discussion, essentially planning PD for you.

I think this book should be required reading for anyone who works in high poverty schools. I recently completed my undergrad and and graduate program in education, and have taught at the same high poverty school my whole teaching career, so a lot of the information was not new to me. But I can’t imagine someone not knowing the information in the book and attempting to be a successful teacher at a high poverty school.

I appreciate that this book is action oriented as well as hopeful and inspiring. What you do as a teacher matters, which is a thought that is both empowering and daunting, but this book provides you with a lot of support and tools on how to successfully disrupt poverty and subsequently positively impact and change our students’ lives and future.

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have several highlights from the book, but the biggest highlight was the reframing of what matters when working with kids in high poverty. Building caring relationships, setting high expectations while being empathetic, committing to equity even in situations of inequity, accepting accountability for learning outcomes and having the courage and will to continue meeting the challenge despite intermittent failures - the authors do a great job of giving pragmatic and realistic applications of each of these. The “voices of poverty” section was illuminating in how poverty impacts children in ways that we could never guess. It is tragic that (esp in the U.S.) we continue to hold these prejudices about people in poverty as “welfare queens”, lazy or stupid. The book compiles wisdom gathered from 40+ heroes that combat poverty amongst children, setting them on a path to break out of the poverty through education. Practical and inspiring read.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to help explain that when we "level out" inequities children of poor, impoverished households, students from all backgrounds can be successful in school. The first disruption to poverty educators can address is that we must build relationships with students and their families. Find out what they like, where their interests lie, and what they want to learn, know and do. Once we know this, we can have high expectations for them (the 2nd disruption) and provide the resources for them that they may not have access to in order to achieve to their highest potential. Committing to Equity is the third disruption to poverty that must be addressed. Making sure all students have what they need - supplies, Internet access, technology, food, clothing, etc. The fourth disruption is making sure educators accept professional accountability for learning. In order to do this, we also must have the courage to take action (fifth disruption) when needed. I highly recommend this book to all educators.

[Abby Fallahee Kimball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I would have had to read this book in my undergrad teacher preparation program instead of now after teaching for 3 years and being in a master's program. This books does a great job breaking down 5 ways to disrupt poverty in the classroom. I also loved the input from actual classroom teachers in this book. So many education books are written by professors who haven't been in the classroom in over a decade and aren't aware how much has changed. This was one of the few education books I've read that I truly feel is useful for a classroom teacher, especially for a teacher working in a high poverty school.

[Corrin Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is both convicting and difficult to swallow. It is filled with opportunities for reflection and self-examination. Budge focuses on the ways that individuals can shape education in their own small sphere instead of blaming institutional or familial problems. In addition to giving practical ways to disrupt poverty, this book also attempts to dispel myths and reframe biases that too often surround educating students who are experiencing poverty.

[Heather Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im so glad I read this book. I’m feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle some of the issues I have faced in helping all of my students succeed. Loved the very tangible ideas presented in this book and looking forward to hearing what my colleagues think of this one when I host a staff book club when school starts again next month.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot to review this back in 2020 and didn't notice it at the bottom of my "currently reading" list, so I don't have a fresh memory of it. I read this for a professional development book study class, and I remember thinking that the ideas presented were practical and that the author made an excellent case supporting these measures.

[Lauren Dierolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book frustrated me because it didn’t give me real strategies to take back to my classroom. It made me think some, but I didn’t get the answers to my number 1 question: How do I help my students?

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completed a book study of this book and learned so much about students living in poverty. I added to my economics lesson plan about poverty and how to eliminate incorrect thoughts concerning poverty.
It is a fast read, but in depth when defining and describing poverty in our country.

[Kritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone working (or wanting to work) with our youth. It’s applicable to anyone, not just students dealing with poverty.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it.

[Kathy Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its all about relationships!!!

[Jackie Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disrupting Poverty gave me a lot to think about as an educator. All people in education should read this book.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the mix of qualitative and quantitative data the authors used. The blend of theory, narrative, and practical tips made this highly engaging, inspiring, and helpful.

[Sylvene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for educators working in high-poverty schools. I am overwhelmed by the insights I have gained.

[Diana Valdivia-Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about ways to combat poverty in the classroom and motivation with poor students.

[Nancy Kehoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas, but she bashes students’ need for special education as a failure.

[Heather Stites · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Enjoyed the real life stories. Appreciated the balance of research and stories.

[Annette Varcoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work for school readers who are looking for practical ideas to disrupt the impact of poverty in their schools.

[Corey Quick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Old research, little depth, mostly common sense. Had to read it to earn salary credit.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a must read for anyone working in education!

[Robert Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the textbooks for a class I took this summer. Lots of great information!!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a professional development class I’m taking, but it was genuinely interesting. Would recommend to any educators.

[Mills College Library]

379.26097 B9276 2018

[Mitch Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for an educator to read. Puts things into perspective