Latest Coverage

"According to a study by H. Luke Shaefer at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, one in five families living in poverty nationwide, including about 2.8 million children, exist on $2 in income a day."

"Consider the commonly touted myth that 'school choice won't help low-income families.' This statement is usually explained by pointing out that poor families don't have enough income to benefit from an income tax credit or tax deduction."

"Absent major action by lawmakers, the annual reports say the combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and the Disability Insurance trust funds will be exhausted in 2033three years sooner than was projected last year. The Disability Insurance fund will be exhausted in 2016, two years earlier than last year's estimate."

"Two Atlanta colleges have pledged to reserve spots for qualified graduates from one of the nation's largest chain of charter schools in an effort to increase the number of low-income students earning bachelor's degrees."

"More than 6,000 schools in the state receive federal Title 1 funds - given to schools with a large percentage of students living in poverty - but only 117 received the Achievement Award this year. 'We're thrilled and excited and honored, and it just fuels our energy going forward,' Principal Mary Fennell said."

"Backers of the proposal to give free Muni passes to San Francisco kids have said for months that they expect to get money from the regional Metropolitan Transportation Commission to help pay for the program, which was downsized to a free Muni for low-income youth plan last week."

"The state Legislature signed off on plans to bring vouchers statewide earlier this month, opening up a small pilot program that began in New Orleans to any low-income family in Louisiana with a student attending or slated to attend a school rated C or below."

"'It will ensure all children - especially low-income and high-needs children - enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life,' the letter said. 'We know you share our passion for doing what's best to ensure the success of all of Missouri's children.'"

"Obama also called on Congress to extend a tuition tax credit he pushed when he first took office to safeguard financial aid for low-income students, such as the Pell Grant program, and to double the number of work-study jobs available over the next five years."

"The conclusions support prior research which showed evidence that children -- particularly low-income children -- who attend early education programs that prepare them are less likely to depend on taxpayer-funded services."

"Nothing is more important to this country's future than ensuring a good education for coming generations. The issue also plays directly into Mr. Obama's own need to re-energize younger voters, who turned out in overwhelming numbers for him in 2008 but seem far less enthusiastic these days."

"He noted that Pell grants, which help low-income students with higher education costs, are at the same maximum level of $5,550 as they were in 2010-11 and are to rise by $85 in 2013-14. Pell funding was cut $8 billion last year and nearly $2 billion this year, and now faces a funding shortfall, he said. "