PITTSBURGH -- All this week, WTAE Channel 4 Action News has been looking at the issue of poverty in western Pennsylvania.

Tonight's segment features the impact of poverty on education.

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Watch Bob Mayo's Report

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Fallout from financial conditions at home can follow children to the classroom.

Nearly 42 percent of students across the country qualify for free or reduced price meals at school.

Does that sound high? WTAE Channel 4 learned the rate is even higher for many schools in western Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh's Spring Hill Elementary works hard to help its students achieve in the face of their families' financial challenges outside the classroom.

"There's no greater feeling in the world as far as when you have a child being able to succeed and seeing their face light up when they achieve success," said Spring Hill Principal Todd Van Horn.

One measure of poverty's impact on children: The percent eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

At Spring Hill, it's nearly 90 percent. Across Pittsburgh Public Schools, it's 66 percent.

"Those in poverty have a very great difficulty looking long-term in their lives," said Donald Block of the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. "They're surviving day-to-day. And they have to work maybe two, three part-time jobs at low wage just to get by."

And it's not just a Pittsburgh problem. The state tracks students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in every district.

In Westmoreland County's Jeannette School District, 54 percent of the students qualify for that financial help for food.

In Washington County's Washington School District, 57 percent of the children come from families that are eligible for subsidized school meals.

In Beaver County's Aliquippa School District, 78 percent qualify.

"And we know that children who come to school hungry or worried or feeling unsafe are not ready to learn," said Barbara Minzenberg of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

A national study in which the University of Pittsburgh took part found that children living in chronic poverty from birth through age 9 score lowest on tests of school readiness.

Block said he sees the impact of parents' poverty on their children.

"If they're read too far less, they have less language development, and by the time they enter kindergarten and the first grade, they're already behind their peers," said Block.

Jennifer Beagan of the AIU's K-through-12 education services said she believes in a way out.

"Well, learning transcends all barriers, including poverty," she said.

Her early childhood education colleague Barb Minzenberg said research shows students from low-income families have double the chance of some big problems.

"Suspended or expelled from school by high school graduation, who drop out or who repeat a grade: twice as many children in poverty," she said.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt said he believes poverty plays second to parents' priorities.

"It's a factor," he said. "No question about it. But what we think is a larger factor is the value the family places on education."

The city school system puts that principle into practice with families in poverty at Spring Hill.

"As long as they come in and they're up front with us and we can sit down and work with them as a team, in that team atmosphere, you can overcome a lot of that poverty issue," said Van Horn. "And that's what we've done here."

"Seven dollars is saved in school age funding for every $1 spent in pre-kindergarten funding," said Minzenberg. "So, significant savings."

"It can overcome poverty," said Van Horn. "Again, not easy. It takes a lot of hard work. As long as the school is willing to work hard, the parents are willing to work hard, that child will be successful."

Pennsylvania provides 35 percent state funding for local school districts. Decades ago, that number was closer to 50 percent.

The state School Boards Association complains that "failure of the state to maintain an equal partnership in instructional funding places a greater burden on local school districts" and that people in lower-wealth districts get a "disproportionate tax burden."

This fall, the AIU's "Homeless Children's Initiative" gave back-to-school backpacks to those homeless children who might not have the things others take for granted. It's another example of providing support so young students can focus on learning instead of on what their families lack.

"Have nurturing environments in their classroom," said Beagan. "It's done through guidance counseling and social service work throughout the school."

Fore more information, visit these sites:

Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council

Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Other Intermediate Units Listed By County

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Poverty Level by School District in Pennsylvania

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