Poverty and education, a teacher's perspective

BCTF Research project in collaboration with the BCTF Poverty Action Group of the Committee for Action on Social Justice and the VESTA Anti-poverty Committee 2 Summary of the findings—Poverty and education: A teacher’s perspective Poverty and education: A teacher’s perspective Summary of the findings of the focus group research Prepared by Margaret White (BCTF Research) in collaboration with Ilse H [...] Background to the project In the spring of 2010, BCTF Research conducted a pilot study to explore poverty and education from a teacher’s perspective, in collaboration with the Poverty Action Group of the BCTF Committee for Action on Social Justice and the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers’ Association (VESTA) Anti-poverty Committee. [...] A qualitative research design consisting of focus-group methodology was used to explore the perceptions of teachers on the effects of poverty on the learning experience of students, and to elicit their input as to what is needed to support low-income students to fully participate and succeed at school. [...] Research questions The questions in the first part of the focus group meeting explored the meaning of child poverty and the effects of poverty on students, from a teacher’s perspective. [...] The second part of the focus group explored in depth what is needed in the classroom, the school, and the community to support low-income students to fully participate and succeed at school.