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"Finally, most schools spend vast amounts of time and resources trying to compensate for disadvantages some students bring to class. Some packaged programs call it 'asset building,' while others exhort schools to build 'bridges out of poverty.'"

"Joe Masterson remembers his mother, Mabel, helping the homeless when he grew up in Roxbury, and in her memory the 75-year-old Dorchester contractor is going above and beyond to get homeless elders into new housing."

"In just three years, Highland had gone from the verge of a state takeover to reporting that virtually every student passed standardized reading exams. This would be impressive anywhere. Highland did it with huge proportions of students who lived in poverty and, perhaps more important, who came from homes where no one spoke English."

"The high school rankings are based on test scores, percentage of students taking advanced classes, graduation rates and other measures. Children at Risk also rates middle and elementary schools. The analysis credits schools that have high poverty rates but manage to excel."

"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.'"