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"In short, early educational interventions really matter, and have long-term consequences. Children who are not proficient in reading by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than children who read at or above grade level and 13 times more likely, if they live in poverty."

"The old South Omaha Library will become a hub for helping disadvantaged youths under a 10-year, $1.12 million lease agreement approved Thursday night by the Learning Community Council. The educational cooperative also committed $500,000 to support intensive preschools at two high-poverty schools in north Omaha through a partnership with the Omaha Public Schools."

"If the cuts occur, it's not likely that low-income families and the elderly will see immediate changes, experts said, although the timing of any potential changes isn't known. You're going to see vulnerable groups losing access to food aid that they've been relying on,' said Julie Zaebst, interim director of the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger. And as devastating as these potential cuts are, they're taking place in a context in which families and seniors are already feeling previous cuts.'"

"Our first-year high school students are making significant progress. Students who came from the ACE middle school have picked up where they left off, with exceptional growth in reading and math in the first semester. The new students who have only spent several months at ACE are starting to hit their stride as they begin to believe in themselves and their college future."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."