Paul Tough takes us to Ruby Payne's presentation - he takes us there - where she engages the audience of teachers in the barriers of class - real barriers in school, work, every aspect of life - and includes academics' criticism of Payne's approach.

This long report delves into the teaching of Ruby Payne about how social class affects peoples' thinking. Her work is eagerly received by schoolteachers struggling to reach their students, and the story gives clear examples of their enthusiasm. It also acknowledges dissenting views from academics, and does a good job of sorting out how different people perceive the issue.

The story is engaging, and conveys caring, and feeling. It seems to lean on a Horatio Alger variant idea of achieving success by way of education. Causes of poverty and paucity of world experience are not touched on and are taken as a given. As asides, Horatio's successful characters succeeded by chancing upon a rich benefactor, and there is less economic mobility in society today than there was four decades ago. Good intentions have some social-economic obstacles not fully addressed ... More »

This is good journalism because it presents a significant controversy about the problems associated with teaching children from impoverished backgrounds, giving multiple points of view. I'm not sure where I stand on the subject, but I've become interested in learning more, and that's significant.

This story is very engrossing and it is very important because it recognizes that contrary American mythology, there is CLASS in our country after all. It is based on $$$ and it is as persistent as it is persistently denied by the mantra that everyone is in the middle class--even the upper fraction of 1% on the income scale says it is. When lack of footnotes is used to denigrate Payne, you know she has hit a nerve. Good story beautifully told.

very interesting topic about which many in this country, of any class haven't much knowledge or experience. lays out some realities which those who are in or have come from poverty, may be more aware than others-- who aren't perhaps often wanting to do this!-- of the difficulties inherent for individuals who class-line cross. The article points out the difficulties some people of the 'academic' class have with Ruby Payne's approach, as well as the success she has with other ... More »

Excellent balanced coverage of this interesting woman. I've note heard of her before, but I recognize many of the concepts that must have originated in her material. It reminds me of the book by Paul Fussel called "Class: A Guide Through the American Status System." Most important about this article is that it opens up more discussion for the distinctions of socioeconomic rank and stratification, which is something that mainstream media are loath to do (unless to glamorize the West ... More »