Family Income Levels May Impact Achievement In School

A study released by Statistics Canada determined that by the age of nine, variations in scholastic achievement were affected by gender, province of residence and the income level for their household.

The study also concluded there were significant differences based on their "education environmentî, which includes such factors as the parent's attitude toward education, their involvement in their child's school and school activities as well as their homework.

Not surprisingly, children with lower attention spans tended to have academic performance that was lower than those that were better able to pay attention in class, and those with better attention skills were less likely to fail a grade or be in special education classes.

The study also supports previous research which determined that the level of school readiness children bring when they first begin school will be a determining factor for future learning in the early years.

"Children from households with very low income tended to have lower achievement than children from more affluent households on many measures.î Therefore, family wealth management is a critical component of financial planning with intergenerational consequences.