Number of poor students on the rise in most Walworth County school districts
Photo
Students listen to a lecture in Dec. 2011 at Delavan-Darien High School. U.S. Census Bureau data show the poverty rate in 24 out of 25 school districts in Rock and Walworth counties is on the rise. Administrators say growing poverty puts added pressure on classroom achievement. Terry Mayer/staff photo.
WALWORTH COUNTY — “Many of these kids grow up with the idea that they need to get a job first and make money to put food on the table, a roof over their head and boots on their kids’ feet. Education isn’t at the top of their list, survival is.”
Darien resident and longtime school volunteer Nancy Lee was referring to children and families who struggle day-to-day, sometimes even hour-to-hour, while living in poverty.
Most agree that a quality education should produce better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behaviors, improved health/nutrition and increased attendance. However, parents and educators across the state face stiffer challenges because of increasing poverty rates.
Recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows that the poverty rate of Wisconsin children ages 5 through 17 rose from 12.9 percent to 17 percent from 2007 to 2010.
(Download an Excel spreadsheet of the report HERE.)
And southern Wisconsin hasn’t been immune — 24 out of 25 districts in Rock and Walworth counties saw increases, 12 of them rising by more than 50 percent ... CONTINUED
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