Which statement challenges the idea that poverty alone determines underachievement?

• A. Deprivation is the sole cause
• B. Some poor children still succeed, so deprivation cannot be the sole cause
• C. Cultural factors have no impact
• D. Only school resources determine outcomes

Answer: (D)

The idea tested is whether poverty alone can explain underachievement, or whether other factors in education also shape outcomes. The statement that school resources determine outcomes directly challenges the notion that poverty is the sole driver because it points to a separate mechanism that can influence achievement: the quality and availability of schooling itself. When schools provide strong resources—skilled teachers, smaller classes, rich materials, supportive policies—students’ learning can improve regardless of their economic background. This shows that outcomes aren’t determined only by how poor a student is; the schooling context can play a decisive role. While it’s true that some students in poverty do succeed (which indicates deprivation isn’t the sole cause), the claim about school resources offers a more explicit alternative driver of achievement, making it a stronger challenge to poverty as the only determinant.