Topeka - Living in poverty can impact a child's ability to learn. Understanding how was the focus of a seminar at the Topeka Performing Arts Center Tuesday.

An audience of more than 12000 representatives of several area school districts heard Dr. Ruby Payne discuss the issue. She says once people understand the issues a child living in poverty faces, they can work effectively with them so they can keep pace in the classroom.

Jim Rodman of the Southeast Kansas Education Center at Greenbush says Payne titles her presentation the "aha!" Process. He says educators may know that income levels can impact learning, but they don't put that knowledge into action in the classroom.