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Find the latest stories, research, and insights on policies, programs, and ideas shaping the national conversation on poverty and economic mobility.

In the News
Education
2013
The Washington Post, April 10, 2013: Paying for preschool with a $1 a pack cigarette tax
April 10, 2013

The Washington Post, April 10, 2013: Paying for preschool with a $1 a pack cigarette tax

"In discussing the administration's proposed 2014 budget, Education Secretary Arne Duncan told reporters that raising the federal tobacco tax by 94 cents would generate $75 billion over the next decade, enough to pay for federal subsidies to states to enroll all low-income and some moderate-income 4-year-olds in quality preschool."

In the News
Education
Jobs
Tennessee
2013
Deseret News, April 10, 2013: Welfare for good grades? Tenn. lawmaker proposes different approach to aid
April 10, 2013

Deseret News, April 10, 2013: Welfare for good grades? Tenn. lawmaker proposes different approach to aid

"Putting food on the table could soon depend on your child's report card in Tennessee, where the state legislature is considering a bill that would make state assistance to needy families contingent upon children's school performance."

In the News
Education
Tennessee
2013
The Tennessean, April 10, 2013: Wilson County Children's Music Association aims to aid low-income students
April 10, 2013

The Tennessean, April 10, 2013: Wilson County Children's Music Association aims to aid low-income students

"The Wilson County Children's Music Association will pattern itself after similar programs in bigger cities that provide musical opportunities for underprivileged youth."

In the News
Education
Virginia
2013
The Roanoke Times, April 09, 2013: (Op-Ed) High cost of college hits poor harder
April 9, 2013

The Roanoke Times, April 09, 2013: (Op-Ed) High cost of college hits poor harder

"The greatest increases in enrollment have occurred among the lowest-income groups over the 2006-11 period; income groups that fall below the median household income threshold not only make up the majority share of the total enrollment, but account for the greatest percentage increase in enrollment at Virginia's public higher education institutions. Lower-income groups are disproportionately affected by changes in costs."

In the News
Education
2013
Las Cruces Sun-News, April 09, 2013: (Op-Ed) School breakfast helps students learn
April 9, 2013

Las Cruces Sun-News, April 09, 2013: (Op-Ed) School breakfast helps students learn

"The Food Research and Action Center states in its School Breakfast Scorecard: 2011-2012 School Year, that increasing participation in the School Breakfast Program, and extending these benefits to all low-income children, can contribute significantly to improving health and learning outcomes."

In the News
Education
Jobs
Tennessee
2013
Knoxville News-Sentinel, April 09, 2013: House panel on partisan vote OKs welfare penalty for parents of failing students
April 9, 2013

Knoxville News-Sentinel, April 09, 2013: House panel on partisan vote OKs welfare penalty for parents of failing students

"Despite being told that Gov. Bill Haslam is now flatly opposed to a bill that would cut welfare benefits to parents of children failing in school, Republican legislators unanimously backed the measure in a House committee on Tuesday."

In the News
Education
2013
The New York Times, April 09, 2013: Schools Put College Dreams Into Practice
April 9, 2013

The New York Times, April 09, 2013: Schools Put College Dreams Into Practice

"Across the country in communities like Newark, the early college high school model is being lauded as a way to provide low-income students with a road map to and through college. According to the most recent figures from the National Center for Education Statistics, 68 percent of all high school graduates make it to a two- or four-year institution, but only 52 percent of low-income students do the same."

In the News
Education
Jobs
Tennessee
2013
Chattanooga Times Free Press, April 09, 2013: Tennessee Democratic Chairman Roy Herron slams welfare-schools bill
April 9, 2013

Chattanooga Times Free Press, April 09, 2013: Tennessee Democratic Chairman Roy Herron slams welfare-schools bill

"The head of the state Democratic Party on Monday attacked a Republican lawmaker's bill that seeks to cut cash benefits for parents on welfare whose children don't attend or do poorly in school. Chairman Roy Herron said the bill, sponsored by Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, would be named Starve the Children' and denounced the measure as perhaps the worst bill yet from the radical Republicans.'"

In the News
Education
Iowa
2013
Des Moines Register, April 08, 2013: Bigger tax credit for low-income students to attend private school OK'd in Iowa House
April 8, 2013

Des Moines Register, April 08, 2013: Bigger tax credit for low-income students to attend private school OK'd in Iowa House

"Iowa House lawmakers voted Monday to expand a tax credit for Iowans who give money for scholarships for low-income children to attend private schools. The School Tuition Organization Tax Credit has been around since 2006, and currently offers a maximum of $8.75 million in tax credits for scholarship donors."

In the News
Education
Florida
2013
The Ledger, April 08, 2013: Low-Income Tutoring Program Could Get Makeover
April 8, 2013

The Ledger, April 08, 2013: Low-Income Tutoring Program Could Get Makeover

"Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, added an unexpected provision to her sweeping education accountability bill Thursday: a pitch to free Florida school districts from having to provide private tutoring services at low-income schools."

In the News
Education
Florida
2013
Orlando Sentinel, April 08, 2013: Economic diversity still a concern in Sanford area schools
April 8, 2013

Orlando Sentinel, April 08, 2013: Economic diversity still a concern in Sanford area schools

"Lack of economic diversity among students in some Sanford area elementary schools is pushing the Seminole School Board to consider taking a stronger role in deciding who attends which school. That could include setting a specific percentage of low-income students for each of the five schools on the west side of town and assigning students to meet that percentage, based on whether the children qualify for government subsidized lunches."

In the News
Immigration
2013
Immigration Reform as a Way to Reduce Poverty
April 7, 2013

Immigration Reform as a Way to Reduce Poverty

Commentary: Andrew Wainer, Bread for the World Institute