The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a wave of emergency aid for children, including universal school meals and Medicaid expansions in various states. These efforts resulted in the lowest child poverty rate on record. However, recent Census data reveals that children, especially children of color, have borne the brunt of the economic downturn as these funds and flexibilities come to an end.
In 2023, nearly 14 percent of children in the United States, totaling just under 10 billion, lived in poverty. This marks a 1.2 percentage point increase from the previous year. In comparison, the overall poverty rate for Americans increased by 0.5 percentage points to 12.9 percent, affecting 42.8 billion people. The U.S. Census Bureau’s supplemental poverty rate considers not only family income but also broader family resources, such as housing status and access to public supports like school meals and food stamps.
The rise in child poverty has significant implications for schools, as they may need to provide additional services to support students in need. Terrence Howard, Louisiana state director of EdTrust, highlighted the challenges schools face in ensuring that children have access to medical treatment and basic necessities for academic success. With rising rates of uninsured students and the potential for increased chronic absenteeism, schools must navigate providing essential services while operating with limited resources.
To address the growing needs of students, some schools have partnered with healthcare providers to offer medical and dental services on campus. For example, eight schools in Shreveport, La., collaborated with the David Raines Community Health Centers to provide check-ups, screenings, immunizations, and support for chronic medical conditions like asthma to low-income and uninsured students. These initiatives aim to mitigate the impact of childhood poverty on students’ health and academic performance.
Childhood poverty has long-term consequences, with more than a third of children who grow up in poverty remaining in poverty as adults. Intergenerational poverty is particularly prevalent among Black and Native American students, as reported by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2022. Addressing the root causes of poverty and investing in resources to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds are crucial steps in breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting educational equity.
As schools continue to serve as hubs for essential services, educators and policymakers must collaborate to address the needs of vulnerable student populations. By prioritizing resources and support for children living in poverty, communities can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system that empowers all students to thrive.
