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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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Lansing State Journal, May 5, 2011: Stronger focus on preschool is welcomed by educators
"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 New York Times, May 3, 2011: Cuomo Backs Higher Tuition at Top SUNY Campuses
"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."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 3, 2011: Missouri seniors may lose drug program
"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 Indianapolis Star, May 3, 2011: Education reforms will have far reach
"'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 Associated Press, May 2, 2011: Tiny Ala school struggles to stay open
"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..."
The New York Times, May 2, 2011: Homeless, But Finding Sanctuary At School
"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..."
Sacramento Bee, April 30, 2011: More kids get lunch subsidy
"'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."
The Californian, April 29, 2011: What it takes to help disadvantaged students succeed
"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 Boston Globe, April 29, 2011: Effort to keep students on pace in summer is expanded
"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."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 29, 2011: New tuition voucher bill would expand eligibility
"Poor children hoping to use tuition vouchers for private school won't get them in time for next school year. Meanwhile, more middle-income children could be eligible for them in 2015, if the House and Senate approve."
The State, April 29, 2011: Teach for America sending teachers into S.C
"This fall's class of 30 teachers will be Teach for America's first entry into South Carolina. For 20 years, the group has sent recent college graduates to teach in rural, high-poverty areas across the country."
Chicago Tribune, April 29, 2011: (Op-Ed) Is it time for more time for city students?
"On the other hand, Houston's four-year graduation rate is basically the same as Chicago's, depending on who's crunching the numbers. And 87 percent of Chicago's pupils are classified as 'low income,' compared with 79 percent of pupils in Houston...."
