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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.
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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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State
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 21, 2012: School systems restore order for homeless students
"School districts do this for about 7,100 students across metro Atlanta every day and take other measures to preserve the students' privacy and self-esteem. The reason: The students are homeless."
Deseret News, October 21, 2012: Fighting poverty with education; hope for breaking the cycle of multi-generational poverty
"Education is the brightest hope for breaking the cycle of multi-generational poverty. But kids born to poor, under-educated parents aren't likely to succeed at school without help that targets their family situations, and that help is most needed during their earliest years."
The Washington Post, October 20, 2012: Homeless student population to crest 2,500 in Fairfax County for first time
"The number of homeless students in Fairfax County public schools is likely to surpass 2,500 by the end of this school year, according to school officials, what would be a new record for one of the most affluent communities in the nation."
The Olympian, October 20, 2012: Reading to kids now has a big effect later on
"Since its inception three years ago, the school-readiness project has reached more than 300 low-income families through parent classes and workshops, bilingual story time events twice monthly at the Rochester community center, family events with an early-literacy focus throughout the school year and referral services for families in need of social services and health care."
Sacramento Bee, October 19, 2012: Many older Californians rely on Social Security
"The two women represent a significant segment of the aging population: older adults scrimping by month to month, counting on Social Security as their safety net. One in five elderly Californians, and 46 percent of those who are single or widowed, rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income, according to Social Security Administration data. Even when bolstered by pensions and savings plans, Social Security makes up at least half of the income for 52 percent of older Californians."
Naples Daily News, October 19, 2012: Early learning advocates call for equity in state child care funding
"Funding for subsidized child care should be based on a region's poverty levels, the number of children younger than five and the number who fall into must serve' categories, local child care providers and advocates told a state early learning leader on Thursday."
The Clarion-Ledger, October 18, 2012: Jackson school top achiever despite 95 percent poverty rate
"George Elementary in Jackson is one of the state's top achieving schools despite also having a poverty rate of 95 percent. Now, the school is being awarded for that success. The Mississippi Center for Public Policy announced today its list of Exceed Schools, a ranking of the state's 20 highest scoring schools with poverty rates higher than 90 percent."
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 18, 2012: Students get first-hand advice from UC leaders
"University of California officials reached out to thousands of high school students across California on Thursday in a coordinated effort to provide hands-on guidance on financial aid, writing application essays and meeting other eligibility requirements. The goal of the Achieve UC initiative was to help students from low-income communities better understand how to prepare for higher education."
Chicago Tribune, October 18, 2012: (Op-Ed) A pill not in the best interest of healthy students
"In defense of Anderson, his motives, while not defensible, are understandable. He, and others, are frustrated by low-income students trapped in failing schools, and the perceived societal neglect of those students' social and emotional needs. Other trends also are at work here. Drugs are a lucrative shortcut. Performance-enhancing drugs in sports are ubiquitous (see Armstrong, Lance). Pharmaceutical companies seek to expand the indications for the use of their drugs (off-labeling') to increase their profits."
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, October 17, 2012: Professor, author to talk at UA on education change, social inequity
"Low-income families need assistance early to ensure children enter school on par with their more affluent peers, said Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children in Little Rock. Programs that help include those that provide good prenatal care for mothers, promote a strong bond between parents and children and ensure that families have access to quality child-care programs. Children from low-income families also need quality programs after school and during the summer, he said."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 17, 2012: Pell Grant-eligible students need aid plus support to succeed in college
"It's ironic that, just as the U.S. poverty rate rises to its highest level in more than four decades, the Pell Grant program -- the most important source of federal aid for low-income students aspiring to a college education -- celebrates its 40th anniversary. There is good reason to celebrate the Pell Grant's huge impact on expanding college access."
Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2012: (Op-Ed) Republicans for 'Sesame Street'
"Dozens of rigorous, independent studies have shown that PBS children's programming results in dramatically improved literacy skills, which narrows the achievement gap between low-income and middle-income kids and increases the desire of kids to read and visit libraries and bookstores. The impact of PBS on preparing preschoolers for school, especially among low-income families, is nothing less than astounding."
