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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
Type
State
Issue
Times-Picayune, May 18, 2012: Board faces new civil rights complaint
"For the second time this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a civil rights complaint against the Jefferson Parish School Board, this time alleging it sends a disproportionate number of black and disabled students to alternative schools to languish for months."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 17, 2012: (Op-Ed) Improve senior care: Pennsylvania must rethink how it cares for low-income seniors
"With more than 300,000 residents age 85 and over, Pennsylvania's senior population is the largest it has ever been, and it is increasing at 10 times the rate of the rest of the population. Yet a proposed cut to the state budget would take away 4 percent of the funding -- $100 million -- for low-income seniors who receive at-home nursing care."
The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 16, 2012: Penn to team up with KIPP charters
"The national network of KIPP charter schools last spring announced plans to more than double the number of its low-income students who graduate from college, by partnering with colleges and universities that encourage KIPP students to apply and support those who enroll."
The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 2012: Community College a ticket to freedom
"...[F]reedom is what CCP provided for Lopez and Joyner, who graduated with associate's degrees last week. Lopez, 26, earned a full ride to Bryn Mawr, and Joyner, 45, has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania."
The Washington Post, May 14, 2012: (Op-Ed) Journey for racial justice is not over
"Outside the schools, their community is one where child poverty topped 50 percent in 2000, according to census and state health data; that is four times the national rate for white children. Here, third-grade test scores are used to project future prison capacity when prison contractors lobby the state for funds."
Pacific Daily News, May 14, 2012: Calvo: Education key to decreasing poverty
"From low graduation rates to low standardized test scores, the governor said addressing these issues is essential to decreasing poverty rates on Guam."
The New York Times, May 13, 2012: 'Why Don't We Have Any White Kids?'
"Nearly 80 percent of the students qualify for subsidized lunch, a mark of poverty. The school's makeup is in line with charter schools nationally, which are over all less integrated than traditional public schools."
Charlotte Observer, May 13, 2012: My Place summer camp helps homeless kids get ahead
"There are 4,700 homeless students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and less than 25 percent graduate, said Annabelle Suddreth, executive director of A Child's Place. The local nonprofit works with Charlotte-area homeless children, who are often behind in their studies and suffer emotional problems."
The Times, May 13, 2012: Time to recognize education starts before kindergarten
"Funding for some of these programs is provided through Head Start, the federal program that provides early childhood services to low-income children."
Chattanooga Times Free Press, May 12, 2012: Barriers to higher ed
"'At a time when postsecondary education is more important than ever, Georgia's higher education policies and priorities are putting up barriers to make it harder for black, Hispanic and poor Georgians to get a college education,' concluded a report from the University of Pennsylvania, Institute for Research on Higher Education and the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education."
The Oregonian, May 12, 2012: Preschool program aids Hopkins needy
"The Sherwood school with the highest percentage of low-income students is getting federal money for a free pre-kindergarten program next fall. Hopkins Elementary School is screening children for the half-day program. It's likely to be an afternoon class and will serve up to 20 students, said program coordinator Errin Esparza."
The Herald, May 12, 2012: Let S.C. students decide where to attend school
"The writer then went on to argue that this will 'destroy' the public school system in South Carolina and will be of no benefit to low-income families because they won't be able to afford private schools. He also complained that private schools are not accountable, and there are bad and good in all schools."
