sociology internal assessment final completeddraft2.corrected

7/27/2019 Sociology Internal Assessment Final Completeddraft2.Corrected

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Name: Mark Phillips

Topic: How does poverty affects your academic achievements in high school?

School: Kingston College

Teacher: Ms. Gordon

Year: 2012

Candidate #:

TABLE OF CONTENT


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PAGE

INTRODUCTION.. 3

STATMENT OF THE PROBLEM.. 4

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.. 5

LITERATURE REVIEW. 6-10

RESEARCH DESIGN.. 11

THE SAMPLE.. 12

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT. 13-21

PRESENTATION OF DATA 22-23

ANALYSIS OF DATA.. 23-25

FINDINGS. 26

DICUSION OF FINDINGS... 27

CONCLUSION. 28

BIBLIOGRAPHY.... 29

INTRODUCTION

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The Right Reverent Percival Gibson, an old boy of St. Georges College envisioned a school that

would produce balanced men of character and integrity, which would become leaders and sets example in

the public life and other pursuits out of life. Having this vision in mind, he helped formed one of the most

prominent all boy schools in Jamaica, Kingston College.

Kingston College was built on the property located at 2a North Street, Kingston Jamaica. Its gate

was open to the public on April 25th, 1925 with 49 students from various inner-city communities that

where characterized by poverty, with the intention of molding them into well-rounded, talented and

educated young men.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

An investigative look at the leading causes and impacts of poverty on the academic achievements of

students at Kingston College.

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the causes of poverty

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To establish the different measurements of poverty, and how they affect the achievement of

students

To find out whether or not students who are under-performing in school are affected by poverty

in one way or another

To find out why poverty is so rampant within inner-city communities

How poverty affect the learning process of students.

To determine if poverty can be reduced or eradicated and to make the learning process of students

more effective

LITERATURE REVIEWPoverty is the lack of resources of basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, healthcare,

education, clothing, food and shelter.

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According to the National Poverty Eradication Progromme, there are a number of factors that

contribute to the emergence of poverty. They suggest that the Jamaican economy is volatile and

stagnant. A majority of the population is unskilled and work in dead-end jobs while many dont even

work. They went on further to suggest that this results in these persons not being able to afford basic

necessities because of Jamaicas heavy dependence on the importation of food, clothing and gas, thus

rendering them very expensive. It has been said that high food prices are a primary cause of poverty along

with high unemployment, crime and violence which ensures the continued cycle from generation to

generation.

Because of the inability to afford these commodities, many students are not able to attend school

regularly, perform very poorly in school and may eventually become high school drop outs thus

contributing to the crime problem.

There are two types of poverty, Relative and Absolute poverty. Relative poverty is when some

persons way of life and income is worse than the general standard of living of the country or region in

which they live. They struggle to live a normal life and are unable to participate in ordinary economic,

social and cultural activities. What this means vary from country to country depending on the standard of

living enjoyed by the majority. While not as severe as absolute poverty, relative poverty is still very

serious and has harmful effects.

According to data from the World Bank, Absolute or Extreme poverty is when persons lack the basic

necessities for survival, for instance they may be starving, lack clean portable water, proper housing,

sufficient clothing or medicines to stay alive. This is most common in developing countries but some

people in European Union (EU), for instance homeless people or the Roma in some settlements, still

experience this type of extreme poverty. In the absolute poverty scenario, parents and children may not

even be able to acquire an education because they are below the standard of living.

Relative poverty has many factors that hamper the success in academic achievement such as the

concept of being at risk. This is defined by Leroy and Symes, 2001 as a child who is likely to fail in

school because of their lifes social circumstances, such as low educated parents, unemployment, abuse and

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neglect, substance abuse among others. It is also said by Leroy and Symes, 2001 to realise that a child is

at-risk is critical if we are to support their growth and development. In order to bring the rate of children

at-risk , is by developing a warm and caring relationship between teacher and children, which will give the

teacher the advantage of detecting the warning signs and to make parents aware, so they both are able to

intervene in the success of achieving a good education in school and life for that child.

High mobility can be seen as symptoms of poverty and its surrounding social factors. For instance,

children of poverty who may live in homes that are rented for a week or a day tend to move around often

because their parents try to run from their problems such as an abusive spouse, criminal records and

financial difficulties. They may also live in battered shelters. This will have a grave impact on the child

day-to-day basis at school and a significant effect on their academicperformance and achievement.On the flip side however, poverty can also have a positive effect on academic achievement. The

constructivism speaks to respecting students differences allowing the student to use the prior knowledge

and experience in poverty to motivate and achieve an academic education (Marlowe and Page, 1999).

The difference in academic performance among children of different class or groups is referred to

as the achievement gap. Children of poverty normally underperform than their counterparts within the

middle and upper classes. The causes of this is such that because of the social environment in which the

child lives and receives his/her education. Poverty and the achievement gap through research conducted by

the education trust in the late 1990s, states that both children and adults were questioned on why do they

think are the causes of the achievement gap of children in poverty, in which one comment among those

made by the children was, what hurts us more is that they give us less. (Haycock 2001) concludes: we

take the students who have less to begin with and then systematically give them less in school. What also

matters is that teachers should provide the same effective teaching to the lower as like the middle and upper

class students.

One social issue faced by children of poverty is emotional trauma. The emotional trauma climate

can be stressful to the child, thus this can lead to the lack of emotional nurturing which makes the child feel

alienation, inadequacy, depression and anxiety. Aggressive behaviour can result in lower emotional

security and self-esteem (Ciaccio, 2000, Brophy 2000). The characteristics that are lacking within a

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poverty-stricken environment are those that contribute and foster the effective learning and academic

success.

The lack of these social characteristics also zaps the motivation of the child to learn thus affecting

educational achievement process. To help this situation the teacher now has to try and restore that Childs

self-image, motivation by encouraging them to see the demands and rewards of good education (Ciaccio,

2000).

(Slawin, 1998) proposes that school can have a powerful impact on the academic achievement and

success of all children by viewing them as at-promise rather than at-risk and preparing them to reach their

full potential. A good education is often the only means of breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency

for poor children. These children need an education that is founded in high standard and high expectations

for all.

In essence, poverty can affect academic achievement both negatively as stated (Leroy and Symes,

2001) who said that children at-risk are more likely to fail because of the parents status in life, and

positively as stated by (Marlowe and Page, 1999) who say that constructivism speaks to respecting

students differences allowing the student to use the prior knowledge and experience in poverty to motivate

and achieve an academic education. Therefore, it can be concluded that regardless of whether or not the

child is from a poverty like background and his/her parent cannot meet certain requirements in life,

receiving an education should not be based on where you are from and which class you fall in, but that

every child should learn and must learn regardless of their situation in life.

Subsidizing education for the poor and improving the equity and quality of

education are steps that can be taken to socially advance the poor. Delivering subsidized

or free social services like health care to the impoverished can improve their quality of

life. Jamaica must also tackle growing violence. Violence cripples the poor by

preventing them from accessing social investments like education or jobs outside their

community. Combating drug trafficking and gangs can alleviate the crime rate, as will

provide alternative activities like counseling and job training purports the National

Poverty Eradication Programme.

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RESEARCH DESIGN

In conducting this research, a qualitative research approach was taken in compiling the information

and data gathered. The methods that were used to gather the information is the questionnaire which a

primary data collection material which were given to students as well as teachers and an interview with the

guidance counselors. Also, secondary sources of data collection was used which includes the internet and

textbooks. In conclusion, information was easily accessible thus making this research a successful one.

THESAMPLE

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To conduct this research, the method of stratified random sampling was used to ensure reliability

of the information allocated and used.

The sampling unit chosen for the research was specifically a Grade 11 class at Kingston College, a

prominent high school in Jamaica. This is representative of the population because it has been alleged that

of late, Grade 11 students have been underperforming. This class will also be able to portray the patterns of

poverty because some of them have been fulfilling this prophecy, and how it contributes to their everyday

lives. The interview will be geared toward the students of Hardie as well as the guidance counselor who has

been assigned to the school.

DATA COLLECTION METHODSQUESTIONNAIRE

1. Have you ever been affected by poverty in one way or another?

Yes No

2. In what way(s) has it affected you or your family?

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Yes No

9. Do you think poverty plays an intricate role in students who are underperforming?

Yes No

10. Is there a direct relationship between poverty and criminal activities?

Yes No

PRESENTATION OF DATA

Y E S

87%

N O

13%

Y E S N O

For question 1, the graph shows that 87% of the respondents have been affected bypoverty in one while

13% havent been affected in any way

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12%

2%

66%

8%

12%

Not being able to purchase food

Poor living conditions

Unemployment

None of the above

Unemployment is a major factor affecting most of the respondents at approximately 68.3%. Question two

also shows that about 2%, are affected by poor living conditions, 12% each for inability to purchase food

and other factors (criminal activities) respectively. However, a little over 8% claim to not be affected by

poverty.

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YES

NO

S1

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

YES

NO

All of the respondents when asked question 3 believed that no child should be refused an education because

of their status in life.

FREE

SCHOOL

SUPPLIES

24%

Waiver of

school &

exam f ees

85%

ALL OF THE

ABOVE 70%FREE

LUNCHES

97%

FREE LUNCHES

FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Waiver of school & exam fees

ALL O F TH E ABO VE

Question 4 shows that 97% chose free lunches. 24% and 85% chose school supplies and waiver of fees

respectively. On the other hand, 18% stated that transportation should be provided while 70% chose all the

options.

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YES, 98%

NO, 2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1

YES

NO

Approximately all of the respondents (98%) to question 6 believe Andrew Holness is not doing enough to

ensure that all children attend school.

73.4% 74.8% 93.7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1

Job Creation & better employment opportunities

The eradication of gangs and gang relatedviolence

Government imposed subsidy on basicamenities such as food, education, clothing andmedication

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In response to question 7, 73.7% 93.7% and 74.8% believe that employment opportunity, government

subsidies and the eradication of gangs as the solution to poverty respectively.

5%

95%

Yes

No

According to question 8, 95% of the interviewees feel that enough is not being done to stem the problem of

poverty affecting students while 5% feel otherwise.

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under performing in students

YES

under performing in students NO

S1

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Series1

68% of the respondents feel that poverty is a one of the reasons why students underperform while 32% feel

otherwise as shown in question 9.

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99%

1%

YES

NO

When responding to question 10, approximately all the respondents feel that there is a direct relationship

between poverty and criminal activities.

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ANALYSIS OF DATAThe analysis of this I.A (Internal Assessment) will be narrowed down to its primary sources which is the

questionnaire and the structured interviews. In the questionnaire 38 was done out of 50 was returned and

will be analyzed.

According to the questionnaire, majority of the respondents have been affected by poverty in one way

or another, which represents 87% of the total sample. Unemployment is a major factor affecting many of

the boys at the school. This was quite evident, as 68.3% chose this answer. Not many students choose poor

living conditions because many expressed embarrassment for choosing such a response, representing 2.4%

of the total respondents. However, 12.5% stated an inability to purchase food and 12% cited criminal

activities as one factor and the other 8.2% claimed to not being affected in any way.

With regards to denial of education, all of the respondents disagreed. The respondents suggested they

would have to fight for their academic achievements because of their status in life. Also, most of the

respondents stated that the school should assist students in every way that is possible. 97% chose free

lunches 24% chose school supplies 85% chose waiver of fees. Others suggested that the school should

provide transportation for students as well 18%. 70% of the respondents chose all the options.

Nearly the entire respondents feel that The Minister of Education should be doing more to ensure

that all children from age 5-18 attend school daily which represents 98% of the total respondents. 73.4% of

the respondents interviewed stated that more employment opportunities while 93.7% believe that

government subsidies would be the cure to alleviate poverty. However, 74.8% believes that the eradication

of gang violence is the solution.

Of the total amount of persons interviewed, 95% believes that more needs to be done to curb the

problem of poverty that affects school students, especially since it is a major factor that is causing them not

to perform at their full potential during school according to the respondents. On the other hand, only a

hand-full (5%) of the respondents disagreed.

Most of the respondents feel that poverty affect the performance of students in school at 68%.

However, 32% feel otherwise. Also, it must be noted that nearly all the respondents feel that there is a

direct relationship between poverty and criminal activities being 99% of the total respondents.

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One on one interview was also conducted with the Guidance Counselors of Kingston College.

When speaking with the 11th grade students from a class known for underachievers at the school (11

Hardie), he stated that there are not a lot of rich boys at Kingston College and also many of them break

rules by selling candy and other various snacks and electronic items in order to receive some form of

financial support which includes lunch money for the week or just for survival. He went on to suggest that

this affects them mentally thus making them underachieve because outside of school they have to be fight

to stay alive which he said many persons are not aware of.

Mrs. Watson, another of the guidance counselors, said that a number of programmes have been

implemented to address the needs of students affected by poverty. Free lunches, scholarships book grants

are some of the benefits provided for students with a genuine need. These however, must be applied for by

parents. When asked whether the school is doing enough to combat poverty she said, Kingston college is

doing enough because as we know this institution was built on helping boys who were not financial stable.

She went on to say that she and her other colleagues still strive and work for that cause.

It can be concluded that most of the representative sample that was interviewed believes that all

children have the right to learn and should not be deprived of education because of their status in life. Many

persons are geared toward this cause because of the far reaching effects that poverty will have on the

society as in recent years, many young males have become involved in criminal activities.

FINDINGS

Poverty is caused by a number of factors which include unemployment, inability to purchase the

basic necessities of life and gang violence.

Absenteeism from school is thus dominant because of the many factors that stimulate poverty.

There are three main measurements of poverty which are Absolute, Relative and Extreme Poverty.

In many instances, students who are underperforming in school are directly affected by poverty

and the matter is further compounded because many school educators are not aware of what

happens in the lives of students outside of school.

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Poverty is so rampant within the inner-city communities because of the uneven distribution of

wealth in the society and the lack of social opportunities for the people living there especially these

communities are plagued by violence. Many of these children live in these communities and

because of that, they become involved in criminal activities.

Segregation is also done by teachers in classrooms which affects student performance. This is the

view that was strongly expressed by many of the respondents

Poverty can be reduced mainly by the creation of employment and other social opportunities for the

less fortunate within the society such as healthcare, food subsidies and affordable housing as well

as the reduction of criminal activities.

Discussion OF FINDINGSFrom the data collected, one can make the conclusion that schools and teachers also play a vital and

intricate role in students lives as much as their parents and many are not aware of this in the society.

It goes to show us that what happens in children lives outside of school, plays a big part in them

achieving a good education, therefore it is the duty of the school and teachers is to have healthy

relationship with parents and students because that way whatever happen outside of school; school can

adjust it so it does not affect or hamper with Childs learning ability to achieve.

In regards to violence in Jamaica inner-city community enough is not being done because ,not of these

children cannot help but get draw in to violence because of their status in life and bring deprived of an

education, thus leading to drop out of school and help finding other means , of making it in life which is not

normally positive.

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Segregation which means setting apart which is being done by teachers at school to students living

poverty which breaks the child motivation because the teachers give children who better off in life the best

treatment , in which this hampers the students in the poverty situation to give up on life thinking theres no

future for him/her.

Many of these factors mentioned lead to absenteeism of students because they are feeling that if

they are deprived and being ill treated then why bother to pursue an education and achieve in life, thus

these children are regularly absent from school because some of these, such as their status in life,

community they live in, segregation among others.

CONCLUSION

This research has found that there are many views to poverty affecting academic achievement in high

schools. Children who are living in poverty will more have an unlikely chance of getting and education

because of their status in life, which is not right, because in the era every child should achieve and must

achieve on education. This is where the role of the government comes in whereby; they must ensure that

there are equal opportunities for all. Also the onus is on the less fortunate to break the cycle of

dependence that is so evident within the society.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://icepoverty.pbworks.com/

National Poverty Eradication Programme

Article on Poverty in Jamaica: Social Target or Social Crises? Patricia Anderson

Poverty in Jamaica, by Shermaine Anderson-Gayle

Posted 11/6/2009

http://web.worldbank.org/ measurementsof poverty
http://icepoverty.pbworks.com/http://web.worldbank.org/measurementshttp://web.worldbank.org/measurementshttp://icepoverty.pbworks.com/http://web.worldbank.org/measurements

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