The Educational Testing Service’s report on factors outside the control of school that influence student learning includes low birth weight. “The percentage of Black infants born with low birth weight is higher than that for White and Hispanic infants. The rate of low birth weight increased among all groups.”
I was initially skeptical of this factor, but I soon learned otherwise. “Child Trends summarizes the findings of research from an education standpoint this way:
“Infants born at low birth weight are at risk of long-term disability and impaired development. Infants born under 2.500 grams are more likely than heavier infants to experience delayed motor and social development, and children aged 4 – 17 who were born at low birth weight were more likely to be enrolled in special classes, to repeat a grade, or to fail in school than children who were born at a normal birth weight.”
Not only did the percentages increase from 2000-2006, the incidents of low birth weight among Black infants is nearly twice that of Whites or Hispanics.
This issue would seem to be associated with prenatal conditions that school can do nothing to affect.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?