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"More than 40 years ago, California set a goal of providing access to higher education for low and middle-income students. That goal became a reality with the passage of funding for Cal Grants, cash awards for college aid, and the application window is open through March 2."

"Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Luke Messer of Indiana have introduced a bill that could produce positive, badly needed change in American K-12 education. The bill allows for Title 1 education funds 'to follow low-income students to any public or private school of their choice.'"

"When the Children's Defense Fund went about putting together its latest report on child poverty in America, it did something new: It put a price tag on its proposals. To reduce child poverty by 60 percent in just a few years would cost $77 billion a year, it found."

"Poverty clearly presents great challenges to improving our schools. More local and state funding is warranted, and we'll continue to strongly advocate for additional wise investment. But we can't and we won't wait for someone to solve poverty. So much is already within our control, and poverty is not destiny."

"Attending a top college can be a life-changer for bright low-income kids. But many of them end up at schools with low graduation rates because they are misinformed about cost and the college experience, according to research from economics professors Caroline Hoxby of Stanford and Christopher Avery of Harvard."

"The share of schoolkids who qualify for free or reduced lunches crossed the 50% threshold in 2013, according to a recent Southern Education Foundation report. That compares to fewer than 32% back in 1989. Students eligible for subsidized school lunches come from families who are in poverty or just above it. A child living with a single parent would qualify if the family's income was less than $28,000. A family of four would receive free or reduced lunches if their income was less than $42,600."

"Research shows that low-income parents speak with their children less than parents in higher income brackets. By the time those children are three years old, they have heard 30 million fewer words than middle class peers. One non-profit in Colorado, Bright By Three, is trying to level the playing field."

"Susanna Loeb and Ben York at Stanford's Center for Education Policy Analysis, founded Ready4K!, a program that sends parents of preschoolers in a low-income San Francisco school district weekly tips via text message on how to improve their children's literacy. The initiative is designed to fit within the lives of families, rather than adding yet another burden."

"But surely we can all agree that no child, once born, should suffer through poverty. Surely we can all agree that working to end child poverty or at least severely reduce it is a moral obligation of a civilized society. And yet, 14.7 million children in this country are poor, and 6.5 million of them are extremely poor (living below half the poverty line)."

"Swarthmore continues to its efforts to support low-income and other disadvantaged students this semester. Shortly before the semester began, the college published a list of administrators, professors, and staff who share experiences that may resonate with these students. The college has also created a summer bridge program for underrepresented students aiming to pursue a degree in STEM fields, and allowed students with extenuating circumstances to remain on campus over break."

"Vermont spent about 15 percent of its state budget on early childhood education in 2013. A little less than half of that expense supported K-3 education, and the rest targeted the needs of younger children. But many working families still cannot afford child care, according to a new report from an early childhood advocacy group. The update on state spending comes from Building Bright Futures, a non-profit that serves as Vermont's advisory council for early education."

"Those are just two examples of what school employees here and elsewhere feel they must do to support learning, because a growing share of their students come from low-income families. In fact, according to a new analysis of federal data, for the first time slightly more than half of all American public school kids are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches."