Running head: REVIEW

Shake up the Status Quo

Tamica Lewis
University of St. Thomas

Dr. Theresa M. Campos

EDUC 6331 Internship II
Spring 2016

Running head: REVIEW

2
Book Review

It is imperative for educators to understand the communities they serve. Ruby Paynes
book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty is a great start to unearthing the hidden rules of
class that effect students and educators. The book includes three lists which describe some
potential abilities of a person from poverty, middle class and wealth. The lists themselves are
eye-opening and can help to surface assumptions educators may hold about themselves and
students. These lists provide the impetus for self-reflection and give educators a way to discuss
where students may come from along with the kinds of social skills students may need to learn.
In addition to the lists, there are some suggested instructional strategies in the book which may
be helpful to educators in impoverished neighborhoods.
Leaders are tasked with such a variety of dilemmas that it can be too easy to fall into the
trap of relying on stereotype and assumption instead of listening carefully to students and
parents. This text can be used to shake up preconceived notions about poverty and class in order
to help build authentic relationships based on mutual respect and trust. When leaders engage in
self-reflection, they temporarily suspend drawing conclusions about a dilemma in order to gather
information, study the problem, gain new knowledge, and come to a sound decisions. This
process can bring about new learning. This is a powerful text which should be read and
understood by the leader before using it for a PLC, but it has no equal in its ability to shake up
the status quo. However, a leader using this book in a professional setting needs to understand
the limitations of the text. Without guidance, the text can be interpreted to reinforce negative
stereotyping and lower standards for students. With guidance, this text can be a lightning rod for
the conversations needed to effect real change on a campus.