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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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The Washington Post, February 28, 2013: (Blog) Welfare for the rich? Private school tax credit programs expanding
"Call it welfare for the rich. Why? Wealthy businesses and individuals are the folks who get the tax credits for putting up the cash to pay the tuition. Furthermore, the amount of money for tuition made available for tuition by private scholarship organizations often does not actually cover the full cost of attending a private school. Poor families can't make up the difference. Guess who can."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 28, 2013: Property tax rebate for seniors in Unity
"To determine how many property owners in the township are age 65 or older, residents will be asked to respond to a survey that they will receive with their spring property tax statements, which will be mailed in two weeks. The survey will enable supervisors to plan for the loss of property taxes from such a rebate."
Mercury News, February 27, 2013: Solano service agencies tackle growing homeless senior population
"The issue is complex and multi-faceted,' said Senior Coalition Director Rochelle Sherlock. Answers are not easy as homeless seniors may also have age-related health conditions, may be unable or unwilling to navigate the social service system, or face difficulties landing jobs, she and others said."
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, February 27, 2013: Schools, service agencies could feel sequestration hit
"Brent Young, the assistant director of instruction for Laramie County School District 1, said counties with the biggest proportion of disabled or low-income students are likely to see less of a cut from the state. And he is confident the state will carefully consider the impacts of the cuts it must make."
The Record, February 27, 2013: More aid sought for early schooling
"Preschool advocates are renewing a plea for more state funding for free preschool for low-income children wherever they live, saying New Jersey has failed to live up to a 2008 promise to provide it."
Burlington Free Press, February 27, 2013: Local educators fret sequester cuts
"According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis, the biggest cuts - $27.3 million statewide - would come from federal dollars meant for programs that support students at risk of not graduating high school. Rocho said those dollars fund initiatives like curriculum coaches who help teachers focus on struggling kids in an attempt to close the achievement gaps between white and minority students and between low-income and more affluent kids."
Grand Rapid Press, February 27, 2013: Report: Sequester would reduce financial aid at West Michigan colleges and universities
"Colleges in West Michigan could be out tens of thousands of dollars in financial aid next school year if across-the-board federal spending cuts -- known as the sequester -- take effect Friday, according to a new report."
Contra Costa Times, February 27, 2013: Construction underway on Martinez low-income senior apartment complex
"Berkeley-based Resources for Community Development, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, last month began construction on Berrellesa Palms, a 49-unit apartment building. Future tenants will be 62 and older with chronic health conditions such as kidney disease, arthritis or heart problems, and incomes of $22,500 or less."
Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 26, 2013: Texas House panel prepares for cuts
"Sequestration could potentially strip $1.4 million in federal funds from the region's largest school district, Corpus Christi ISD. If the cuts go through, the district expects to see reductions in Title 1 grants, which are given to districts with high percentages of low-income students to help them meet academic standards, and in IDEA grants, which pay for services for special needs students."
The Atlantic, February 26, 2013: (Op-Ed) The Arcane Rules That Keep Low-Income Kids Out of College
"One senior, for instance, qualified for a state scholarship that provided full tuition at a two-year technical or community college. The student couldn't access the money, however, because he lived on his own and had no parent or guardian to sign for him. Bailey tried to register him as homeless' so he could sign his own forms. She discovered it took mountains of paperwork even to qualify as homeless--particularly since one of the boy's grandmothers had falsely claimed him as a dependent on recent tax forms."
Mercury News, February 25, 2013: (Op-Ed) Who pays for kids' school supplies in low-income districts? Right now, it's often the teacher
"Teachers still issue school supply lists at the beginning of each year, but depending on how strictly districts interpret the law, many teachers must now label their lists recommended,' not required,' with no penalty for students who can't -- or won't -- buy their own. This isn't a problem in affluent districts, but in low-income areas, the number of students who don't bring materials, while still a minority, can be surprisingly high."
The Oklahoman, February 25, 2013: Oklahoma students battle poverty in fight to learn
"An analysis by The Oklahoman shows a correlation between poverty and the state A-F school evaluation system. Schools with higher letter grades tend to have lower poverty rates, and vice versa. But Ryal is one of the school districts bucking the trend. Poverty is rampant, but it doesn't rule."
