Poverty and education in Scotland: reality and response

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to critically examine child poverty and the impact of child poverty on school education in contemporary Scotland and the reactions and responses to this impact on school education by official bodies and groups. The chapter maps out the levels of poverty in Scotland, the different approaches to the measurement of poverty and the nature and extent of child poverty. There is a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the current practice in the measurement of poverty and there is a discussion on the evidence focused on the impact of child poverty on school education. Finally, the chapter explores some of the responses and interventions that have been introduced and the ongoing debates about the effectiveness of these interventions.