Latest Coverage

"At one point, the achievement gap referred primarily to the scoring difference between white and minority children. The conversation nationally has gravitated toward socioeconomics instead of race because many low-income families, regardless of race, do not own computers or a vast selection of books, have experience navigating the education system or know how to help their children with homework."

"Navrot and 12 other Rutgers students urged lawmakers to continue supporting Pell Grants for low-income students and to reverse long-standing plans to increase the interest rate on subsidized college loans from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, an increase Navrot said would be "insurmountable."

"Now Verrochi, originally from New Hampshire, is finishing her third year as a high school teacher at the 555-student Todd County High School on the Rosebud reservation. The graduation rate is 51 percent, 49 percent of county residents are below the poverty level, and the nearest Walmart is nearly three hours away."

"Two-thirds of Rutgers students rely on subsidized federal loans to attend college. One-third - 16,000 students - rely on Pell Grants designed to help low-income students. 'Congress is facing a lot of tough choices in the economy, but we want to at least maintain the current level of federal support,' said Rutgers student Emi Morse of Sea Bright."

"Many of these schools will, in their last years of existence, become gathering places for the forgotten. Homeless children, teenage parents, those struggling with English: it's as if the department channeled the most troubled students to the most troubled schools."

"Although approval is expected, the sticking point is whether the perk should be limited to low-income youths or be extended to everyone ages 5 to 17. Children under 5 already ride free.A well-organized contingent of students, parents and community activists, backed by the progressive flank of the Board of Supervisors and by the Board of Education, argues that free transit for all youths is about equity and would do more to promote the city's transit-first policy while grooming a new generation of transit riders. "

"Philipp and fellow Grinnell College students Noah Most and Kathy Andersen instead spent the previous 59 minutes passionately talking about how they help local folks who are broke and have nowhere to turn."

"For a recent study on houses, kindergartners met residents from a homeless shelter, performed a play at LOVE Park about being homeless, and then raised $4,000 from the crowd for the shelter. The school consistently meets state academic benchmarks. "

"Enacted in 2002, No Child Left Behind promised to raise student achievement, particularly in reading and math. If schools fail to make gains, students from low-income families qualify for free tutoring. Companies apply with the state to become providers; families pick an approved tutor; and the school system pays with federal Title I funds earmarked for educating children from low-income families."

"So why are black and Latino students suspended more often than white students? The report, which analyzed U.S. Department of Education data, drew no conclusions. But Losen said he does not believe poverty is the reason. He said other studies have shown that the gap between the suspension rates of whites and minorities can be found at schools in communities of every income level."

"Many other low-income older and disabled people looking for affordable housing aren't so lucky. Pat Winston, executive director of the Paw Paw Housing Commission, said there isn't enough subsidized housing available to meet the needs of an aging population."

"The nationwide recession dramatically increased the percentage of metro-east students whose families live at or below the poverty level. Of 45 school districts in St. Clair, Madison, Clinton and Monroe counties, only six of them had more than half their student population rank below the poverty level a decade ago. "