One of the ways that Precious’s parents harmed her severely was by impeding her education. Trauma from sexual abuse and pregnancy at 12 caused her to be held back twice, so she is two years older than her peers and unable to read. Once Precious misses her chance to learn at a developmentally normative age, it is impossible for her to catch up in a typical classroom environment. At the start of the book, she is on track to graduate in two years, but the school is merely passing her through classes for the sake of convenience. She receives As in English without ever turning in assignments and is too ashamed to admit that she is illiterate. Precious is the quintessential student who has slipped through the cracks of the public education system. Without intervention, her future would likely hold menial jobs and welfare checks.

Although Precious’s expulsion for her pregnancy is unfair (particularly since no one bothers to investigate the fact that her pregnancy is the result of rape and incest), it turns out to be the best thing that could happen to her. She becomes excited about the word “alternative” when Mrs. Lichenstein tells her about an alternative school.