http://www.businessinsider.com/washing-machines-solve-schools-big-problem-2016-8
The article above is about Whirlpool donating washing machines and dryers to schools in low-income areas to decrease the chronic absenteeism rate in their schools. Chronic absenteeism is one of the biggest problems that the low-income area school districts are facing. Chronic absenteeism can occur from a variety of problems, but 17 school districts showed an increase in attendance after Whirlpool donated washing facilities to the schools. This amounted to 2,000 loads of laundry completed within a school because that is how many students needed their clothes washed.
"Over 90% of kids in the 17 schools came to school more often than they did they year before the program began, with an average increase of 6.1% extra days per year. Teachers reported that over 89% of kids participated more in class, 95% interacted with their peers more and nearly all of them were reported as being more motivated."
Whirlpool plans to expand the program to all over the US. I truly think that programs and larger companies that are willing to make small donations and help to improve the school systems will make an improvement on the achievement gap and overall achievement of students in low-income areas.
Brooklyn,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting article. I feel that not having clean clothing is an issue we wouldn't typically think about. It truly shows that educational outcomes must be viewed holistically and from a person-in-environment perspective, because the issues that impact education are not always obvious. It also forces me to look at my privilege of never having to think about not having clean clothes to wear. Whirlpool is taking a step in the right direction, and I hope other companies follow suit. Another way to look at this, though, is from the perspective of prevention. How can we intervene sooner or at the household level to prevent this from being an issue?
I think this is an amazing program! I love that Whirlpool took a deeper look into the causes of chronic absenteeism and decided to make this donation. It's so important for kids to feel safe and clean and well cared for in order to thrive and this is a great example of making a powerful change and valuing both the well-being of children and education.
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