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"The smoke detectors and alarms are installed at no cost to city residents. The primary recipients are to be senior citizens, low-income households, physically impaired and household with children 14 years of age and younger."

"For many Elmont families, the abrupt cancellation of youth programs has meant more than a disruption of child-care schedules. It's also meant a loss of academic and cultural opportunities in one of Long Island's most diverse communities. Elmont's population of 30,000 has more than 50 ethnicities and includes many recent arrivals from the Caribbean, Central America and South Asia. Half of the community's school-age children live near or below the poverty line."

"The pattern is all too obvious and entirely too familiar: The schools with the lowest scores are all Title I schools -- that is, those with the most students living in poverty. The schools with the highest scores -- and four topped the state average in every subject in every grade -- are all non-Title I schools. The correlation between poverty and educational struggle is familiar everywhere. But it seems to be worse, and getting worse, here."

"Consider this: One in five U.S. children lives in poverty, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty, meaning about 16 million kids could show up for school unprepared. And the National Retail Foundation says the average U.S. family spends between $80 and $90 on school supplies to ensure kids are ready for class."

"Twenty principals and assistant principals are among 26 current and former Chicago Public Schools employees who provided false income information on applications to get their children into the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, according to CPS Inspector General James Sullivan."

"According to the report form the Council on Postsecondary Education, the graduation rate of low-income college students fell from 46 percent to 35 percent between 2008 and 2010. In the same time period, the graduation rate of moderate- to high-income students dropped from 57 to 53 percent."

"Jason Andrews took a walk in someone else's shoes this week. The Providence High School student spent a little over an hour participating in a simulation at an unusual summer camp designed to help participants learn what it's like to live in poverty."

"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."