Readers of this blog know that I”m definitely not a fan of Ruby Payne, the high-priced consultant and speaker to school districts who has a decidely “deficit” view of low-income families.
I’ve recently discovered another good critique of her perspective. It’s called Miseducating Teachers about the Poor: A Critical Analysis of Ruby Payne’s Claims about Poverty.
It’s worth a visit.
August 12, 2011 at 9:50 am
Ruby Payne is described as being “over-priced” here. I have no idea on the cost of having her for a presentation, but even though there are a high number of critics, I think her overall message is invaluable. I do not consider her words to be gospel in any way, but they at least made me stop and think about parts of students’ and families’ lives that I had never considered before. As educators, certainly we are smart enough to realize that her statements are stereotypical and in no way can possibly apply to all people living in poverty. But if they at least help us to help our students in anyway, then they are worth considering.
August 14, 2011 at 2:23 pm
After reading A Framework for Understanding Poverty, I am somewhat confused about the controversial debates. Before reading the text, I was completely unaware of the ‘hidden rules’ of poverty, middle class, and wealth. I didn’t realize that each class had their own set of rules which guide their everyday activities and decisions. I was also unaware of the multitude of resources that individuals living in poverty lack.
Ruby Payne’s book has provided me with invaluable insight on how to work with families from different socioeconomic backgrounds and how I can influence some of the non-financial resources that make a difference in students’ lives. I really believe that she has helped provide me with a better understanding of different social behaviors, values, and languages of individuals from different social classes. It’s interesting how we have different perceptions of Ruby Payne’s teachings. I would gladly attend one of her workshops so that I could become more familiar with the strategies that she offers.
August 27, 2011 at 9:57 pm
In this country of free speech, any time someone publishes their ideas, they open themselves up for debate, guaranteed. Ruby Payne is no exception to that. But as an educated person working in the public schools I feel it is my job to gather as much information on a topic from as many sources as I can and then form my own opinion that is relevant to my life. I’ve been in the education field for 16 years. Prior to Ruby Payne I never heard any mention of even trying to understand the challenges faced by people living in poverty. Whether people want to criticize her or embrace her ideas, I feel that she has brought attention to a topic that had been ignored. To raise awareness that every student in our classrooms does not face the same challenges/privileges is important. Remembering to think of each of our students as an individual with their own learning style, no matter what the reason for that style, is the most important thing I take away from all this debate.
October 27, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I believe Ruby Payne has good intentions. She has been able to raise awareness about working with students of poverty. Even if she lacks the research, she should be credited with starting a debate that has people thinking and talking about students from poverty. I did find her “hidden rules” to be stereotypical, but I looked at it as another perspective to have on an issue. I agree with Kay that each student comes with their own challenges and privliges. Some students have more challenges and some have more privleges. It is important to be aware of them both. I think educators have embraced Payne’s ideas because they are clear and do-able. They can be implemented into a school or classroom and start to have an impact on some students. Payne is criticized for not looking at the systemic problems. As an educator Payne provides me strategies and information I can use and implement while working on the systemic problems.