Importance of School Demographics to Success

It is imperative for educators to understand their districts' demographics. Students' home lives shape their success in school before they start formal education. Teachers and administrators must take demographics into account when planning curriculum and objectives.

Identification

School demographics refer to the statistical data of a population. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education looks at information about demographics, which includes "social characteristics, and economics of children and school districts." These pieces of information all influence student success.

Features

Demographics frequently change, so school districts should reevaluate their demographics to better serve their students. According to "A Child's Day: 2003 (Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being)," social and economic conditions (such as parent-child interactions, bedtime routines and television viewing) change as parents do.

Types

"A Child's Day: 2003 (Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being)" states that "positive parental involvement has a direct influence on children that results in fewer behavioral problems." Children with fewer behavior issues find more success in school. Behavior issues are minimized through parents and children eating and playing together, as well as parents praising their children.

Effects

Demographics show students living in poverty struggle with school basics, such as reading. Statistically, parents who consistently read to their children are married, "have relatively higher levels of educational attainment and family income, and are not enrolled in benefit programs," according to "A Child's Day: 2003 (Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being)."

Considerations

Debate surrounds school funding partially because of school demographics. Students with difficult home lives often attend poorly funded schools, only further hindering their chances for success.

References

• National Center for Education Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education
• A Child's Day: 2003 (Selected Indicators of Child Well-Being)