What Are Your Kids Chances of Success? The Parents Role

Education Week just released a report that supposedly indicates how children in one state will fair against children in other states when it comes to success in life. For my state of residence, GA, the results are depressing. (Read my articles entitled What Are Your Kids Chances of Success? The Study, and What Are Your Kids Chances of Success? The Assumptions)

The study points out all of the factors that indicate a child will or will not be successful, and ranks the state according to this criteria. If you live in a state on the low end of the scale as I do, you may very well feel like moving north to a more successful and smart state. However, you do not have to be so hasty. Here are some of the items determined to bring a child failure, as well as things that you, the parent can do to ensure success for your child. (I am not going to mention all factors here, as some are a direct result of others.)

Family Income: The study shows that states with lower family income also have a lower chance of success. While there is some truth in the fact that poorer people are poorer educated, I insist that this is a symptom of poverty and does not have to be the result. As a child, my family lived in poverty. We had a family of 11 people and only 8 beds. I received two pairs of shoes a year, and by the end of summer, I was often barefoot. I went to catholic school, but my uniform comprised 90% of my wardrobe. I am successful and well educated. My parents made sure of this. They evaluated my test scores and homework. They helped me study. They even scraped together money for a reading program to help me improve my scores. They were patient, loving, and never gave up on me. This is what a low-income family can do for their child. Sometimes you have to give up the few luxuries you have to pay for extras that will further your child in life. You will not regret it.