The fact sheets are camera ready and duplication is encouraged. Juanita E. Miller, Ph.D. State Extension Specialist Limited Resource Audiences Poverty, Education, and Job Opportunities High poverty rates have been linked to low levels of educational attainment. Low levels of formal education have been linked to employment in low wage earning jobs. Low wages have been linked to subsistence living. As can be seen, the links create a cycle from poverty to poverty.
Literacy is a major issue related to poverty.
In the job market literacy has been equated with the level of formal education a person has completed. Not having a high school diploma or the G.E.D. or some post high school education has been associated with the poverty status of people. Although having a high school, post high school, and even college education does not guarantee getting a high paying job, educational attainment is one of the most significant things an individual can do to keep from being poor. When poverty rates are related to levels of educational attainment, one is made aware of some interesting information. Most obvious is the fact that the poverty rates of high school dropouts is three times higher than the poverty rate among high school graduates.