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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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State
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Chicago Tribune, October 21, 2011: 2 out of 3 Illinois schools miss U.S. test target
"Schools that get federal funds for low-income students must offer tutoring or student transfers to other schools if they miss the test targets for back-to-back years. They also must provide the state with plans to improve the school's academic performance."
The New York Times, October 21, 2011: In Brooklyn Charter School, a Focus on Co-Teaching and Inclusion
"All charter schools are lottery by law. But we're researching right now putting in an at-risk preference to target children who are living in poverty."
Detroit Free Press, October 21, 2011: (Op-Ed) 'America's Urban Crisis'
"'America's Urban Crisis' represents a clear-eyed, historical look at the economic and social policies, supported by color-blind politics, that have gutted and segregated Detroit and other U.S. cities, relegating millions of their residents to generational poverty, failing schools and an insidious prison industry. "
Contra Costa Times, October 21, 2011: Northgate principal enters debate over Clayton Valley High charter conversion
"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the competitive grant program in May along with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The funding is intended to increase the access of low-income and disadvantaged children to quality early childhood education programs."
The Marshfield News, October 20, 2011: More students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals
"The highest percentage of low-income families in the district reside near Lincoln Elementary School, where 55 percent of students receive or qualify for free and reduced-cost school meals -- about 5 percent more than last year."
The New York Times, October 20, 2011: Occupy The Classroom
"One common thread, whether I'm reporting on poverty in New York City or in Sierra Leone, is that a good education tends to be the most reliable escalator out of poverty. Another common thread: whether in America or Africa, disadvantaged kids often don't get a chance to board that escalator."
Los Angeles Times, October 20, 2011: Billions spent in U.S. on community college students who drop out
"California expenditures on such students over five years totaled $480 million, report says. Many students are ill-prepared for college, get too little support and aren't helped by remediation, the study notes."
Chicago Tribune, October 20, 2011: 11th-grade scores at new low
"For the first time in at least 10 years, Elmhurst's Conrad Fischer Elementary School posted a 90 percent passing rate, though it faces challenges uncommon in some other affluent school districts. Fischer has the highest percentage of low-income students among District 205 schools."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 20, 2011: State seeks $70M for schools
"Georgia officials are hoping for a $70 million federal cash prize aimed at improving school readiness for the state's 825,000 youngest children, especially the 54 percent identified as low income."
The Associated Press, October 20, 2011: Medicare hike to cut into Social Security increase
"That didn't last long. About 55 million Social Security recipients will get their first increase in benefits next year since 2009 -- a 3.6 percent raise. But higher Medicare premiums could erase part of it."
USA TODAY, October 19, 2011: For-profit colleges become focus of student loan issue
"Some undergraduates such as older adults seeking a non-traditional education can borrow up to $57,500 in federal Stafford loans. The maximum Pell Grant for low-income college students is $5,550 this academic year, up from $4,050 five years ago."
The Columbus Dispatch, October 19, 2011: Drug companies try to mislead elderly
"Organized by the conservative American Action Network, this national campaign is a thinly veiled attempt by the big drug companies to keep a loophole in federal law that results in taxpayers paying billions more per year than necessary for Medicare prescriptions for low-income seniors. "
