Diversity Challenges School Nationwide
During the 1980s, an increasing number of America's school-age children was poor, more racially and ethnically diverse, and at risk for school failure. These problems were not limited to the largest cities or a few states or geographic areas. The growing number of poor and at-risk children means that many schools will have to address the needs of children who change schools frequently; are potentially low achievers; and have other difficulties, such as health and nutrition problems. Addressing the needs of children from a multitude of language and cultural backgrounds also poses a growing educational challenge for school districts. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act--the federal government's main vehicle for addressing the needs of poor and at-risk children--will also face increasing demands as the number of these children increases. Ignoring these demands now may cause greater problems later as needy children potentially face a future of joblessness and lower incomes. Addressing these demands during a period of budgetary constraints will be difficult, however, and will challenge lawmakers and school officials to make every dollar count.
It was found that between 1980 and 1990, the numbers of poor school-age children increased by more than 400,000, to 7.6 million, while the total school-age population decreased by 5 percent;
By Sydney
