For teachers looking for a riveting discussion about class structure and socio-economic status, have your students take this 25 question quiz from PBS NewsHour (it has been #1 on their website since the story first came out in late March).

• What does your bubble score mean (from PBS NewsHour)?

The scoring of the archetypes reflects a few realities about socioeconomic background and the bubble. If you grew up in a working-class neighborhood, you are going to have a high score even if you are now an investment banker living on Park Avenue. Your present life may be completely encased in the bubble, but you brought a lot of experience into the bubble that will always be part of your understanding of the world.

Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood also scores points for you on several questions, and this too is reflected in the real-world experiences that people bring to their adult lives in the new upper class. But middle class covers a wide variety of environments, and the degree to which people who grew up in the middle class seal themselves off from that world after they reach the new upper class also varies widely, which is reflected in the wide range of possible scores.

• More detail on what our bubble score means:

• Reflection questions:
  • What was your bubble score?
  • Do you think your score reflects the degree to which you live in a bubble? Why or why not?
    • If so, how would you describe the bubble?
    • If not, what areas nearby do you consider a bubble?
  • Which description above do you feel applies to you?
  • What questions stood out for you as you answered the questionnaire?
  • What are ways that you can escape the bubble? What are opportunities you have to engage with folks across socio-economic statuses?
  • Why do you think it is valuable to live “outside the bubble?”

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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