This document discusses how social class affects education and mobility in America. It notes that while many Americans believe in social mobility, the data shows movement between classes has slowed. Lower-income students face barriers to higher education like less family support and lower graduation rates. Those without a college degree have less job security and rising income. As educators, supporting students through tough situations could help address these issues.

1. How it effects education today

2. Class Mobility…Reality or Myth?
• More people than
ever believe that
they can achieve the
“American Dream”.
• Americans believe it
is possible to move
up in class ranks and
improve their
lifestyles.

3. We believe our children will have
better lives than ours…

4. As children we believe that we have
surpassed our parents status…

5. The Truth:
• Americans think
that they are
moving up, but
in reality the
movement of
Americans
between social
groups has
leveled off or
slowed down.

6. Where people think they are…

7. …Where they actually are

8. Who is rich?
How much does an American family need to make to be
considered rich?

9. How Do You Move Up in Class?

10. How Much Education Do You Need?

11. The Illusion: Consumer goods have helped
to blur the lines between classes.
• The “right jeans and the right bag” can make
class lines confusing

12. Can you tell the difference?

13. Direct Effects of Class
• Longevity
• Healthcare:
– More choices = better care
– Case Study: Jean - Upper Class, Will - Middle Class,
and Ewa - Lower Class

14. Upper Class Patient
• Lives/works in a nicer neighborhood with
multiple healthcare facilities close by, money
is no problem
– facilities have well trained doctors and specialists
on call.
• Easy access to rehabilitation programs and
specialists.
• Support Systems

15. Middle Class Patient
• Lives/works in nice neighborhoods, however
usually less choice in healthcare facilities and
doctors.
• Rehabilitation programs available but not
always convenient or affordable
• Some support systems

16. Lower Class Patient
• Lives /works in neighborhood where proper
healthcare facilities are a farther distance
away.
• Rehabilitation programs are inconvenient( if
available at all) and too expensive.
• Support systems almost nonexistent.

17. Differences in Upbringing
• Healthcare
• Choice of schools
• Extra curricular activities
• Work experience

18. How does class affecthigher
education?
• College dropout rate is
rising
• Almost 1 in 3
Americans in their mid-
twenties fall into this
category, up from 1 in
5 in the late 1960’s.

19. How does social class factor in?
• Affirmative Action - colleges are actively
recruiting low-income students.
– In 2004 only 41% of low-income students
entering a four year college graduated within 5
years as opposed to 66% of high-income students.
• Barriers to going back
– Lower income students have less support systems
at college.

20. What it all adds up to
• College graduates have received steady pay
increases over the past two decades
– Everyone else’s has risen little over inflation
• As a result, income mobility in America has
stopped rising.

21. No Degree?
• Less job security

22. What can we do about it?
• As educators we can start encouraging and
implementing the support systems needed to
help propel our students through tough
situations.

23. Keller, Bill. Class matters. New
York (N.Y.): Times Books, 2005.
Print.