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"The Orleans Parish School Board plans to lay off about 21 employees, largely because of a drop in federal funding for low-income students and those with special needs. The list of staff losing their jobs includes four teachers, two of whom are being cut because of plans to merge McDonogh 35 High School and the Architecture Design Engineering Preparatory High School."

"Those who work with Space Coast seniors hope an emphasis on nutrition-related programs, from occasional on-site farmers markets to dietary advice, will help vulnerable residents steer clear of malnutrition. They're especially concerned about low-income residents; those with undetected, age-related problems that reduce their ability to absorb nutrients; and seniors lacking regular contact with family or friends."

"Hiawassee Elementary was Orange's showcase school this year for bringing its grade up to an A from last year's C. The school qualifies for federal Title I funding because it has large numbers of students who are just learning English or come from low-income families."

"Area public school districts will receive $2.5 million in state funds to reimburse them for the cost to transport homeless students who lived in hotels, shelters, and other temporary housing during the last school year."

"Most people can't apply for jobs without being online. And a growing number of services for the poor, including food stamps, might soon be available online only. In Florida, for example, people seeking unemployment benefits must apply online."

"The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act last month, giving President Obama's signature legislative accomplishment a legal seal of approval."

"Like the students at Kuumba Academy who are exceeding state standards, with 98% of students classified as low-income-they are closing the achievement gap. Or the extraordinary young men at Prestige Academy, most of whom come from impoverished, crime-ridden areas of the state, who collectively scored a 92% proficiency rate on this year's Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS)."

"As a veteran who has emerged from chronic homelessness, Stone symbolizes the success federal officials would like to repeat. In a plan called Opening Doors, the government has set a goal of preventing and ending homelessness for veterans by the middle of the decade."

"Members of both parties agree the No Child Left Behind law is broken but have been unable to agree on how to fix it. While it has been praised for focusing on the performance of minorities, low-income students, English language learners and special education students, it has also led to a number of schools being labeled as 'failing.'"

"Three months away from school, especially for low-income children, contributes to what educators call an 'achievement gap' that puts those disadvantaged children behind their peers by the end of the summer vacation. The gap begins before children enter kindergarten and continues to widen year by year."

"The U.S. Department of Education said three Tuscaloosa city schools will each receive federal grants totaling more than $1 million. According to the Tuscaloosa News, the 'school improvement' grant is meant to aid schools that are considered as persistently low-achieving, high in poverty and high in academic need."