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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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Charter school network gets $5 million pledge
"The Harold Simmons Foundation will give $5 million over four years to Uplift Education, North Texas' largest charter school network. [] Yasmin Bhatia, Uplift Education's CEO, said that just 11 percent of today's low-income students will graduate from college. We believe that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve the opportunity to attend college, be successful while there and graduate,' she said. This generous gift from the Harold Simmons Family Foundation will be felt immediately by thousands of students as we add schools in Dallas.'"
The Press Enterprise, February 21, 2013: Inland schools win, lose under new funding plan
"Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to change how state education dollars are distributed would give a big financial boost to some Inland school districts, according to new estimates. But in other districts, particularly those in southwest Riverside County, the increases would be much smaller. Brown's goal is to help schools with bigger challenges, such as educating those who don't speak English or who live in poverty. But it also would create wide division in funding levels among Inland districts."
Argus Leader, February 21, 2013: Housing units target low-income seniors
"Low-income seniors in the Whittier neighborhood of Sioux Falls soon will have another option for affordable housing: High(land) Five, a row of one-bedroom housing units at Highland Avenue and Fifth Street."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 21, 2013: Private school for low-income children planned
"Students will be required to work five days monthly in entry-level jobs to help finance their tuition, which averages about $1,000 a year at existing Cristo Rey schools across the country, Garrett said. Enrollment will be limited to children from families with low incomes below $35,000 for a family of four."
USA Today, February 21, 2013: Report: Opportunity for AP classes uneven in USA
"The Equity and Excellence Commission said, While some young Americans -- most of them white and affluent -- are getting a truly world-class education, those who attend schools in high-poverty neighborhoods are getting an education that more closely approximates schools in developing nations.'"
The San Francisco Chronicle, February 20, 2013: School funding plan won't be easy sell
"Public schools in San Francisco and Oakland are among those projected to get a larger-than-average bump in funding under Gov. Jerry Brown's new proposal to distribute a larger share of money to districts with higher percentages of low-income students and English learners."
Vallejo Times Herald, February 20, 2013: Forum to address growing senior homeless population in Solano County
"Nearly 21 percent of Solano County's homeless people are 55 years or older, and not only are they coping with loss of housing, but also dealing with the health and social complexities of getting older, service providers said. Concerned that the issue of homeless seniors will only worsen in the years ahead, social service providers are holding a forum Tuesday in Fairfield to try to find solutions."
The Daily Gazette, February 20, 2013: Group lists ideas to improve education
"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who discussed the recommendations in a conference call with reporters, said in far too many communities there is unequal distribution of resources. While money isn't going to be the sole answer, she said, the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that low-income communities have the resources they need to compete on a level playing field."
The Washington Post, February 20, 2013: In D.C., public school for 3-year-olds is already the norm
"In the District, officials created a program about three years ago, leveraging federal Head Start funding to offer seats to 3- and 4-year-olds in public schools with many children from low-income families. The program has a research-based curriculum, improved professional development and ongoing assessments of the children, according to Danielle Ewen, director of the office of early childhood education for D.C. public schools."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 20, 2013: Collinsville's cost to educate homeless students
"With the homeless student population in the Collinsville school district steadily increasing, the task of educating children who are classified as homeless has become costly."
Kalamazoo Gazette, February 19, 2013: Kalamazoo's 2012 MEAP scores show improvements for most buildings, demographic groups
"However, the so-called achievement gap -- the gap between white and middle-class students compared to low-income and minority students -- widened slightly as the former groups had bigger gains than the latter."
Las Vegas Sun, February 19, 2013: (Op-Ed) Expanding opportunity for quality education
"To ensure that more American children receive that opportunity, I have introduced the Educational Opportunities Act, to create a new federal tax credit for individuals and corporations to help families pay for expanded educational opportunities. The Educational Opportunities Act will empower parents by allowing their children in grades K-12 to receive a scholarship to be used toward private school tuition and related expenses."
