Empowering Learners from Low-Income Backgrounds: Proven Strategies for Enhancing Academic Performance

Kayla: I'm a special education teacher in a Title I school. In one of my grad classes we had to pick a book to read, choosing between a couple. This book has good review so I picked it. I completely understand the positive reviews! This was easy and surprisingly enjoyable to read. I love how each topic is broken into five action steps, and each action step has multiple strategies to try in the classroom. Can't wait to implement these strategies when the school year starts back up!

United States on Jul 15, 2021

Dr. Jim EwingDr. Jim Ewing: How many Eric Jensen books do you have? "Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind: Practical Strategies for Raising Achievement" belongs on every educators' bookshelf that teaches at a Title 1 school.
Eric uses such easy-to-understand vocabulary it is as if he is in my living room explaining the strategies to me. Not only are Eric's strategies practical, they are backed by the research.
Thank you, Eric.
Dr. Jim Ewing (Author of "Math for ELLs. As Easy as Uno, Dos, Tres.)

United States on Mar 08, 2020

Heather: I thought this was a well-written book. Jensen practices what he preaches. He understands our students in poverty and has some wonderful strategies for how to help them become engaged in their learning.

The goal I chose for my teaching this year was cognitive capacity. I am looking forward to trying out strategies to help my students with executive function: working memory, problem solving, processing speed, study skills, etc.

I am writing this right after finishing it. I may need to update my review after a few months of using the strategies. I really hope I can use them effectively for the benefit of my students!

United States on Oct 28, 2019

Barb: This book explains its rationale convincingly. It also has an abundance of specific ideas for engaging students from a low-SES background. Many of the ideas I took away related to engaging those very students and dispelling the notion that there is a ceiling on a student's intelligence. Many of the strategies suggested involve getting all students participating actively instead of being bystanders. Those ideas relate beyond only the low-SES students. The double-edged sword is that beginning teachers may be overloaded with ideas. As Jensen suggests, they should not try to take on the world all at once, but should incorporate strategies a few at a time, thinking about changes that could have a big impact on kids.

United States on Jul 24, 2015

Rebecca: As a passionate and driven teacher of 39 years, much of the material in this book is not new to me. If I were buying it for my own reference, I'd be disappointed, however, I plan to use this text, along with John Hattie's work, in a grad course I teach. My students are teachers who teach in rural, high-poverty schools. I hope the information in both books will offer optimism and direction as they engage in collaborative data inquiry about their schools.

Eric Jensen connects the research of John Hattie to his strategies. I'm sure Jensen inspires those around him as his voice comes across very passionately in this book. He knows firsthand what it was like to go to school a neglected and abused kid. He is a great advocate for kids, and accepts no excuses.

There is no excuse for giving up just because you may teach in an impoverished area. There are gemstones to be polished in every school. They're just waiting to be found by the right teacher.

United States on Oct 25, 2014