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"But the new law will mean that teachers in local districts receive more training in teaching reading. The Read to Lead task force also recommended that schools involve parents in efforts to teach reading, as well as support programs to promote reading among low-income children."

"Findings from that study released last week show that public schools play a major role in North Carolina's pre-K program. In 17 counties, 100 percent of the pre-K slots were in public schools as of January of this year. Those counties are rural and most are high-poverty."

"A 2010 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center analyzed the high rate of suspension among black males in middle school. It found 'concerns about lost instructional time as well as other possible harmful side effects.' It said there were 'consistent findings that African-American and Latino youth are over-represented in school suspensions and that the increased use of suspension has been largest for poor minority children.'"

"YoungStar, which started in 2010, rates the quality of child care centers on a one- to five-star scale, with five stars as the highest rating. Fourteen of Brown County's 94 child care providers registered with the program are five-star facilities, according to the state Department of Children and Families."

"The number of children in poverty is continuing to rise in Oshkosh and throughout Wisconsin. For eight straight years, the number of students in Wisconsin public schools eligible for free or reduced-price meals, the barometer for poverty used by school districts, has increased."

"According to Reading Partners' statistics, literacy is one way to ensure a child's success and in New York "less than half of all fourth-graders can read proficiently." Most of these students come from low-income families. The statistics also show that children who are reading below their grade level at a certain age are less than likely to graduate high school."

"Zyheema and her sister, Zakiyyah, 4, have joined neighborhood children in a nine-week dance class at the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts. The Dancing Daisies classes, which normally cost $64 each, will be free for the homeless sisters, courtesy of a new program through the Children of Shelters."

"During his annual budget address, Gov. Chris Christie announced a common-sense restructuring of state government to better serve New Jersey residents - particularly children, low-income families, women, individuals with developmental disabilities, veterans and seniors."

"The University System of Georgia experienced its smallest fall semester enrollment increase since 2005. While total enrollment set a record, fewer students enrolled at nearly a dozen colleges, especially those with a higher percentage of low-income students."

"Because of a federal budget cut, tens of thousands of low-income high school students will face steeper price tags for their Advanced Placement exams this May -- forcing many to scramble to meet costs and others to forgo exams that could save thousands in college tuition."

"It was part of a poverty simulation Thursday night at the community college's Preston Ridge campus in Frisco. About 25 people participated, some students allured by extra credit and others simply seeking a deeper understanding of the issue."

"In Lynn, where 2010 census data show that nearly 20 percent of residents live in poverty, two years of cuts in "unrestricted aid" totaling more than $2 million have delayed paving projects and municipal building repairs and required the careful scrutiny of all nonsalary spending, said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. "