What It Takes to Make a Student by Paul Tough

What It Takes to Make a Student Reviews

• 
  Kristin

  This is one of the best articles I have read that explained why many students from low-income families are less likely to do well in school and what education approaches have worked to reduce the achievement gap. (Sorry Goodreads, I'm breaking your rules by adding an article instead of a book, but I think it's worth sharing.) Tough explains how many children from low-income families learn fewer words because they heard fewer words from their parents and other differences in parenting styles that lead to low-income children starting school behind their middle class peers. Then he describes successful charter school practices, such as lengthening the school day, setting goals for each class, and focusing on teaching character to students. Tough argues that students who enter school below grade level need a better education than most middle-class students receive so they can catch up. And since we now know what works, it is our choice if disadvantaged students continue to fall behind. Read the full article
  here.