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"Poverty levels, on the other hand, are measurable. The end of the state's Earned Income Tax Credit will push more families below the poverty line, even with the $25 per child credit that was restored as part of the compromise."

"'People who come to this country legally have dreams as well, and we need to support them.' Nereida Avendano, chairwoman of the Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois, said the Illinois DREAM Act puts an end to 'a waste of talent' that perpetuates a cycle of poverty."

"Ciulla said the new board won its right to run the system based on votes from parents frustrated about frequent reassignment of their own children and their perceptions that the busing-based diversity policy wasn't working for low-income children."

"The league has been lobbying against his plan to cut the Earned Income Tax Credit, which offers a break to low-wage earners. Cuts also are projected for programs that improve maternal health during pregnancy and help prevent teen pregnancy."

"The announcement by Mr. Cuomo drew skepticism from Democrats in the State Assembly, where lawmakers have suggested that allowing State University campuses to set their own, different tuition rates would make the system less accessible to low-income New Yorkers."

"A showdown today between... budget negotiators could determine whether 226,000 elderly and disabled Missourians keep a state subsidy [which]... pays half the cost of deductibles and co-payments for prescription drugs for low-income people enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan."

"'The expectation should be good, strong, steady growth and, over time, an increase in the number of new private schools...' Vouchers could be critical to the survival of some private schools, especially those that have extra space and serve high-poverty populations."

"The school's poverty rate is high, with 72 percent of its students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches. A high poverty rate is often the reason given for low test scores. Estes said he believes the small class sizes help students who come from poverty..."

"Twenty percent of Fern Creek's students are homeless, and school is the best part of the day for many of them. All eight members of the Collins family -- Brianna is the oldest of six children, including three who are too young for school..."

"'We are seeing more and more families living in poverty,' said Glynn Thompson, chief academic officer for San Juan Unified, a sprawling school district serving eastern Sacramento County."

"In addition to attending overcrowded public schools, they live in blighted environments plagued by abject poverty, institutional racism, low educational attainment levels, high gang activity and drug addiction, along with rampant police abuse."

"The expansion at the Summer Learning Initiative reflects a stepped-up effort by the city and the school department to close the `academic and opportunity' gaps that often stymie poor students in urban areas."