Latest Coverage

"That poverty is a problem in America's schools seems clear. But it's equally clear that this problem isn't going away any time soon; even a bevy of effective anti-poverty programs, launched today, wouldn't pay dividends for years. Meanwhile, we can't just write off a generation of poor children. So America's schools are going to have to figure out a way to do a better job educating kids from low-income backgrounds."

"The tools of knowledge will be within easier reach for low-income kids living in a 2-square-mile swath of Delray Beach as the city launches its first cloud of wireless Internet for a residential area. Starting next month, up to 852 families living in the range of this free Wi-Fi also will be eligible for free reconditioned personal computers. It's all part of a city-powered effort to boost access to knowledge that has involved everyone from elementary-age children to Florida Power & Light officials."

"With the number of low income and special education students growing each year, officials said it's time to reapply the strategies that have been successful and maybe look for new ways to reach those groups. One of the biggest challenges we face is that our at-risk populations are increasing substantially,' said Cordogan."

"In Rochester, enrollment fell 10 percent this past decade and the district has struggled with decisions to close schools. When it comes to student poverty, the district ranks highest statewide, and 13th nationally, the report found. Rochester's per-pupil spending was far above the $15,000 average of districts with more than a quarter of students in poverty. The district had a 39 percent student poverty rate compared to Buffalo's 37 percent, according to the 2010 data. Cleveland and Cincinnati, also in the Top 10 for spending, were at 45 percent and 40 percent student poverty, respectively, the report showed."

"It's not a highly known fact in the Germantown community, but poverty in the suburban school district has nearly tripled in the last decade. Statistics provided by the Germantown School District show that between one in six and one in seven students meet the federal poverty guidelines and qualify for free and reduced lunches. With these statistics in mind, Go Riteway, the district's contracted company for its busing needs, took action and launched Stuff the Bus."

"Northeast Parent & Child Society will receive $1.1 million in federal funding to develop and expand its YouthBuild program, an alternative education option geared toward high school dropouts and low-income residents. The grant was one of 74 awarded to YouthBuild programs, with the Schenectady-based nonprofit receiving the highest available grant offered by the U.S. Department of Labor; a total $75.7 million in grants was awarded starting at $700,000."

"Investors with seven-figure nest eggs could soon have greater access to startup companies, more modest investors could get in on smaller deals and low-income seniors could be among the first beneficiaries of new partnerships between financiers and social services providers."

"High-performing D.C. public school teachers who work in high-poverty schools will be able to accelerate through the pay scale to reach top compensation levels more quickly under a "career ladder" announced Tuesday."

"Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp. (Great Lakes) awards $1.8 million in grants to 14 programs that help Wisconsin college students from disadvantaged backgrounds complete their degree, diploma or certificate."

"Under a new assessment system, the state Education Department last week identified 16 Queens schools that were failing to help disadvantaged students make progress on state exams. The schools were among 221 singled out across the state where low-income students, English language learners, students with disabilities and those of certain ethnic and racial groups scored in the bottom 5 percent on math and English tests or with graduation rates below 60 percent for the past few years."

"The No Kid Hungry campaign will work with schools and communities to increase participation in school breakfast programs. Some parents are unaware of the programs, and some students are embarrassed to sign up for them. One way around that is Philadelphia's universal feeding program, which makes free meals available to all students, thus reducing paperwork and eliminating the stigma associated with poverty."

"Enter Philadelphia Futures, the nonprofit that helps promising low-income city students get into college and then succeed there. Traditionally, it has handpicked a select group of teens - currently, 176 high school students citywide - for intensive, long-term mentoring, academic enrichment, guidance, and funds for college-related expenses. But Futures wants to do more. This year, it's launched a one-year pilot program for 31 Northeast seniors."