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"Over the last 30 years, college costs have risen steadily, especially at four-year public universities, once considered the affordable route to higher education. At such universities, the last decade's increases, adjusted for inflation, have been the steepest."

"Nationally, federal officials have given negative assessments to more than a quarter of Medicare's rated prescription drug plans that will be available to seniors in 2012. And in the Washington metropolitan area, 36 percent score unacceptably low, according to an analysis of Medicare data."

"Around 12 million people are taking advantage of tax benefits averaging more than $1,200. And while recent changes make low-income families better able to take advantage of those credits, a growing proportion of the benefit goes to families earning more than $100,000."

"President Obama will announce new programs Wednesday to lower monthly loan payments for some students graduating next year and thereafter and to let borrowers who have a mix of direct federal loans and loans under the old Federal Family Education Loan Program consolidate them at a slightly lower interest rate."

"Seymour predicted that in high-poverty neighborhoods, the child maltreatment rate is 15 to 20 per 1,000 children, whereas in more affluent areas, that figure is 8 per 1,000.One in three 5-year-olds in low-income neighborhoods is kindergarten- ready, and the same portion of students graduate from high school on time, he said."

"Legislation to help low-income families pay private school tuition is on its way to the Senate floor. In a 9-2 vote Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee put the controversial school-choice bill in position for a vote as soon as today. The legislation would provide vouchers for private schools and expand tax credits for businesses that contribute to scholarship programs for low- and middle-income children."

"A program that at one time kept as many as 15,000 mostly low-income children busy after school has fallen victim to state budget cuts and the bad economy."

"A sleepover fundraiser in Schenley Plaza to assist homeless people ended early at 11 p.m. Friday after city officials enforced an ordinance against camping in city parks, an outcome an organizer of the event called "an irony.""

"For the roughly 40 future social workers, the marches are a class lesson on how to fight for something they are passionate about: the poor. After a discussion on state cuts in assistance to the low-income population in Michigan, the UM-Flint social work class decided to do more than just talk about it. They decided to picket over it."

"Child welfare officials asked the teens' last names not be used because of confidentiality provided to foster children by law."

"As states cut back on college support and grants, college tuitions have risen faster than the cost of homes, health care or energy. Americans believe a college education is key to their children's future, so more and more borrow what they can."

"At an event on Thursday, White House advisers Valerie Jarrett and Melody Barnes asserted that President Obama's economic policies have 'helped to keep millions of Americans from sliding into poverty.'"