Central+Falls+District+Report

Central Falls is a small urban area surrounded by a few parks and located near a pond in Rhode Island state. It houses generally low income families and an array of diverse peoples. This region has a reputation for gang violence and falling standards in the school systems. Although Central Falls may not be the most safe or prosperous environment, there is a great sense of community among the inhabitants. The following is meant as a overview of the school district of Central Falls, addressing demographics, income, poverty, safety, health, and general education indicators. This description is perfect for anyone curious about the district.
 * Central Falls, "A City with a Bright Future"**
 * Introduction**

Though Central Falls is small, it is a central part to Rhode Island state. Out of 247,822 people sampled, 5,531 came from Central Falls, making up a solid two percent of the population. According to the demographic estimates conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, Central Falls is also an area with great ethnic diversity. Since this city has large quantities of different nationalities, meaning that there is no remarkable majority of any race. The percentages of minority groups in Central Falls are generally higher than those of the state of Rhode Island. Although there is a great deal of diversity, Central Falls' highest percentage of the races is White (‍‍67.3% ‍‍), closely followed by the Hispanic population (60.2%). The percentage of Whites is a bit lower than the percentages in Rhode Island and the U.S (both 72.4%). Also, the percentage of Hispanics and Latinos is a significant leap greater than the state's (11.4%) and the country's (15.1%). Overall, the major races in this area are: White, Hispanic, and Black. Almost half of the population is foreign-born, which may indicate an immigrant population living in this area. This could contribute to the multiple cultures residing in Central Falls. 2% of people identified as either Asian, Pacific Islander, or American Indian. The other 17.6% of the inhabitants who fall under the category of "some other race" or are multiracial.
 * Demographics and Statistics**

Startingly enough, almost half the children living in Central Falls only have one parental figure, as compared to Rhode Island's total of only thirty percent. However, the number of children living in single-parent households is actually lower than Rhode Island; 2,300 compared to Rhode Island's 67,000. ‍‍ Two-Parent households, unfortunately, are also a low 2,600 to Rhode Island's 160,000. Central Falls also has a saddening amount of impoverished children which tips forty-one percent, and it makes up most of Rhode Island's total; accounting for seventeen percent of the population. Although Central Falls has many hardworking teenagers, seventeen percent drop out and don't work at all. Because these children who drop out sometimes do not help households could be the reason why the median household income of $22,000 is half of Rhode Island's total $42,000. Luckily, though, the fact that there are less households with grandparents financially responsible for children is positive for Central Falls.‍ ‍‍ Despite Central Falls being a densely populated district, it has one of the lowest economic standings in Rhode Island. From the data provided by the Census Bureau, it is apparent that the city is substantially below the economic standing of not only Rhode Island, but the United States as a whole. Nationwide, the median household income is approximately $51,000, with a median family income of $62,000. In Rhode Island, these same figures average $55,000 and $62,000. For Central Falls, these figures are substantially lower at approximately $33,500 median household income and $38,000 median family income. The figures demonstrate the drastic difference in the economic standing of Central Falls from both Rhode Island and the United States. The difference of $20-30,000 is huge. Central Falls being thick with people means that this is not just a small town with small school needs that could potentially suffice on a significantly lower income, but rather is a city in a dire situation. The large population and low income means that the school system is dealing with a large volume of students with a small budget. ‍‍
 * Income and Poverty**

In Central Falls, there is over a quarter of the populace that is below the poverty level. The families of students do not have money to put towards education in the manner of parents and families in other communities around the state and the country. This is compounded by a high unemployment rate, nearly 7.5%. Overall, the economic standing of Central Falls is such that the education of students in the Central Falls school system is invariably affected in a negative way, the quality being impacted. Although the participants in the food stamp program are lower than Rhode Island's total by 56,000, a little less than double the amount of chlildren participate in the school breakfast program. Because Rhode Island has a much larger population than Central Falls, Central Falls is a considerably impoverished area. However, the amount of poverty cannot be attributed to rent costs, as the cost of rent is only $933 when Rhode Island has an average of $1,165. Perhaps because of the lack of money and perhaps proper education, six percent of infants are born at highest risk. Because children under eighteen that live under extreme poverty make up almost six percent of Rhode Island's total, and twenty-nine percent of children living under eighteen in poverty are from Central Falls, children in families receiving financial assistance amount to eight percent. The amount of poverty could be attributed to lack of education, as an astonishing thirty-six percent of mothers don't have a high school diploma.

It comes as no surprise, then, that education indicators are low. Even if early intervention participation is a percent higher at Rhode Island with an eleven percent, and children in full-day kindergarten comprise of every child in Central Falls, the amount of education children receive is saddening. It could be attributed to the fact that many children are not fluent in English, as twenty-three percent are currently learning the language. This may also attribute to the low levels or reading proficiency, which never top sixty percent, while in Rhode Island, it is above sixty-nine percent. Math scores are also ranked low in Central Falls; although a little over half of 4th graders are competent in math, only twenty-eight percent of the total amount of 8th graders are proficient in math. In comparison to Rhode Island's total fifty-four percent, this is clearly something that needs to be fixed. However, it could be because a quarter of all students are enrolled in special education and are perhaps not getting the education they need. Although eighty-eight percent of kids attend high school, more than thirty percent of those do not end up graduating. Indeed, public school enrollment is drastically lower in Central Falls; only 3,000 kids are enrolled in public school as compared to Rhode Island's 140,000. The chances of staying in school drop as the years go on, because only 205 kids were registered for twelfth grade enrollment out of Rhode Island's total 10,000.
 * Education Indicators**

Healthiness in this area is low compared to the total of Rhode Island. For example, children with high levels of lead in their blood amount to three percent of total children, while the state has a full percent lower. Kids are also more prone to asthma, as seven children out of every thousand are hospitalized for asthma, which is very high compared to the average of four. Perhaps because of this, the need to have children under nineteen receiving medical assistance is increased; as around 4,400 kids get medical assistance. Children are not the only ones that have to worry for their health. Infants, should they live, (as every eleven infants out of a thousand are pronounced dead) have a low birthweight -- over seven percent of infants have a low birthweight. Although it is low compared to Rhode Island's eight percent, it is also a curious statistic because women who received delayed prenatal care amount to almost twenty percent. Receiving late prenatal care could amount to the reason why there is such a high mortality rate, low birthweight percentage, and a low amount of mothers who exclusively breastfeed -- only forty-three percent of Central Falls' mothers do this. It seems high, but against Rhode Island's average of almost sixty percent, it seems drastically low. Perhaps the reason why mothers do not breastfeed is because a large amount of them are teen mothers -- almost a hundred out of every thousand girls give birth! 230 of these births turn out to be preterm as well.
 * Health**

Safety is also an issue in Central Falls. Unfortunately, out of every thousand children, twenty-three are either abused or neglected. It comes as no surprise that the domestic violence rate concerning children is at thirty-eight percent. Due to the influence of incarcerated parents (twenty kids out of every thousand have imprisoned parents) students who bring weapons and experience violence at school are high; though lower in comparison to the total of Rhode Island. Those who bring weapons to school make up eight percent of Central Falls' total, while in Rhode Island, thirteen percent of children bring weapons to school. The kids that perpetuate violence only amount to five percent of Central Falls' children, even if only thirteen kids get a juvenile arrest for assault; while the number of weapon related assault is almost half that. Of 2,600 kids, only three were detained, and twenty-three were adjudicated. Children may not only get this idea from their parents, but from being present in domestic violence -- of 143, fifty-four were present.
 * Safety**

Overall, the community for Central Falls can be considered diverse. Although 1,500 people under 18 are white, double that are Hispanic. 292 people under age 18 are African-American, while another 276 are another nationality. The amount of children in total is 5,500, although the few that are motivated struggle to get an education. With low income and health dangers impacting children, it is no wonder that Central Falls is often considered the worst district in the state. Though it may not be a safe district offering a safe haven for children, nor is it a shelter of education, there are people who wish to change Central Falls into something greater. Though it may not seem like the best place to live, many Rhode Islanders call Central Falls their one and only home.
 * Conclusion**

Central Falls Teachers on strike.