Among the approximately 50 educators who attended the Jan. 8-9 “Understanding Poverty" workshop at The Learning Center in Bakersfield, very few had probably ever thought of living in darkness as a cause for failed learning. According to extensive research by Ruby Payne in her “A Framework for Understanding Poverty," children of poverty spend more time in darkness than their more affluent peers. Payne is a nationally known expert on poverty, and her research was the blueprint for the two day workshop presented by Kathy Estes, safe schools coordinator with the San Bernardino County Office of Education. “Why do children of poverty spend more time in the dark than others," Estes asked the educators. “There are several reasons. If parents have to choose between buying food for their kids or having electricity, they will pick food every time. It’s easier to see entertainment devices with the blinds closed. Closed blinds keep unwanted people from looking in. More