A Framework for Understanding Poverty
Author: Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.
199 pages, 1996, revised 2005, paperback
How does poverty impact learning, work habits and decision-making?

People in poverty face challenges virtually unknown to those in middle class or wealth—challenges from both obvious and hidden sources. The reality of being poor brings out a survival mentality, and turns attention away from opportunities taken for granted by everyone else.

If you work with people in poverty, some understanding of how different their world is from yours will be invaluable. Whether you’re an educator—or a social, health or legal services professional—this breakthrough book gives you practical, real-world support and guidance to improve your effectiveness in working with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

With a million copies sold since 1996, A Framework for Understanding Poverty has guided hundreds of thousands of educators and other professionals through the pitfalls and barriers faced by all classes, especially the poor. Carefully researched and packed with charts, tables, and questionnaires, Framework not only documents the facts of poverty, it provides practical yet compassionate strategies for addressing its impact on people’s lives.

What to do after a Framework for Understanding Poverty Day 1 Workshop

Download a complimentary Study Guide

Book Reviews
Testimonial
Endorsement
The concepts from Framework were taught by Bethanie Tucker to many of our faculty and administrators last spring. Those concepts, combined with increased student services advisors and program directors, community outreach, faculty involvement and a lot of hard work, resulted in our annual attrition rate going from 6% to 4.3% last year. After all, it does take a village.
–Ada Gerard, Campus President,
Heald College, Rancho Cordova, CA (May, 2009)