The ranks of the poor in our nation have risen markedly in recent years.
Myths persist about who compose the poor in America.
Contrary to what many people assume, the majority of poor children come from families with working parents. And if a child attends a school that enrolls a large percentage of low-income students, the likelihood of failure in school rises dramatically. From the beginning, many poor children have several strikes against them. In poor families, the diet and medical care of children are often inadequate, which impairs their ability to be attentive and responsive in school. In addition, children growing up in poverty often have fewer opportunities for socialization.