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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
Type
State
Issue
Daily News, July 5, 2011: Queens couple goes from homeless shelter to caps and gowns
"After spending more than half a year surrounded by drugs and violence in a homeless shelter with their two tots, a Queens couple is turning their lives around.Their first step - obtaining college degrees."
Gloucester County Times, July 5, 2011: Not as red for summer school
"Those who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches also qualify for discounts based on family income, and students of low-income families could be enrolled for free. Students who live outside of Glassboro will pay between $250 and $125 per course..."
The Washington Post, July 5, 2011: D.C. teachers union locked in court fight over evaluations
"Critics cite the location of top-rated teachers as evidence that IMPACT disadvantages instructors in schools with high rates of poverty and other social problems. Just 5 percent of the 'highly effective' teachers work in Ward 8, the city's most impoverished area..."
Daily Times, July 5, 2011: Food Bank launches migrant farm worker initiative
"Access to quality food and nutrition is often beyond the reach of migrant families for several reasons, Richard said, including annual incomes below the poverty line as well as limited refrigeration and cooking facilities."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 5, 2011: Has Georgia's tuition tax credit program been successful?
"In contrast, Georgia's k-12 public schools administer annually more than 85 state-mandated tests --- with all results reported publicly. SSOs have apparently failed to serve a significant number of low-income students."
The Christian Science Monitor, July 5, 2011: America's biggest teacher and principal cheating scandal unfolds in Atlanta
"On its face, the investigation tarnishes the 12-year tenure of Superintendent Beverly Hall, who was named US Superintendent of the Year in 2009 largely because of the school system's reported gains especially in inner-city schools"
Orlando Sentinel, July 5, 2011: High fees worry adult education officials
"Florida educators worry that a new fee on adult-education classes will force students to drop out of a program meant to help them secure work or higher-paying jobs. Starting this month, the state is requiring colleges, adult centers and other schools to charge $90 to $360 a year..."
The Miami Herald, July 4, 2011: State begins charging for adult-education classes
"Debby VanderWoude, director of the Tomlinson Adult Learning Center in St. Petersburg, says at least half her students won't be able to pay the fee or will have 'serious difficulty.' About half are new immigrants. Many are homeless or live well below the poverty level."
The New York Times, July 4, 2011: A Failing School? Not to These Students
"According to an analysis by the city's Independent Budget Office, these schools have more poor children (63 percent versus 52 percent citywide), more homeless students (6 percent versus 4 percent), more special-education students (18 versus 12)."
The Cincinnati Enquirer, July 2, 2011: Ohio education funding gets mixed reviews
"Each scholarship pays up to $4,250 for private elementary tuition and up to $5,000 for private high school tuition. Parents who are not low-income can pay remaining unpaid tuition."
The Columbus Dispatch, July 2, 2011: Agencies help cool off area's elderly, needy
"Harrell said the Breathing Association, the only area agency that provides free air conditioners to low-income residents with health problems, will provide units until the supply runs out. 'Last year, we gave out 800 air conditioners...' she said."
Des Moines Register, July 2, 2011: Head Start classes to be held at Urbandale school
"Head Start is a federally funded program that serves 3- and 4-year-olds. Drake's program serves 888 children in 11 school districts throughout six counties. At least 90 percent of children in the program must be from families whose income is at the poverty level or below."
