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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
Sacramento Bee, September 9, 2010: (Op-Ed) State must be forced to fund education
"Not only are California's low-income students and students of color disproportionately underachieving, but even the children of white, affluent and college-educated parents lag significantly behind their peers from other states."
The Associated Press, September 9, 2010: NM gives backpacks to homeless students
"Nearly 4,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and food are being distributed to homeless public school students around New Mexico."
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, September 9, 2010: (Editorial) Ignorance comes cheap... at first
"So there's your education revenue stream: the nation's lowest rates for one of the most stable sources of income, combined with some of the highest rates for the most volatile taxes on the lowest-income working families. Alabama's tax base is, in effect, the working poor."
The Kansas City Star, September 8, 2010: (Editorial) Social Security: The firewall between aging with dignity and aging in financial desperation
"Third, Social Security lifts retirees from poverty. In 2008, Social Security kept almost 36 percent of older Americans out of poverty. In Kansas, about 37.5 percent of the state's 65-plus population was kept out of poverty because of Social Security."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 8, 2010: At Arlington Life Shelter, start of school is time of need
"The newly donated khaki pants, yellow polo shirt and superhero-themed sneakers that Josh Brando received from the Arlington Life Shelter to wear to Speer Elementary School don't change the fact that the 8-year-old is homeless."
The Boston Globe, September 8, 2010: Many strong MCAS results Mass. students show strong gains in latest MCAS tests
"At four grade levels, only one-third of low-income students are proficient in math. And Blood cautioned that more than one-third of third-graders, and over half of those from low-income families, are not proficient readers."
Albuquerque Journal, September 8, 2010: (Op-Ed) Auto IRAs a Smart, But Depressing, Choice
"Just a few days before the New Mexico Democrat rolled out his bill... a state report revealed more than 13 percent of New Mexicans age 65 or older live at or below the federal poverty line - on $10,830 a year."
Des Moines Register, September 8, 2010: Strapped park residents worry about rising rent
"Georgia Ripley is blind in one eye, has a bum heart and juggles 13 medications daily that can cost as much as $747 a month. The 87-year-old... knows exactly what her retirement and Social Security will cover - and these days that's not much."
Chicago Tribune, September 7, 2010: Activists shine light on poor education
"For one day, the disparities in Illinois public education were on graphic display when a feisty state senator bused hundreds of low-income South Side students to the wealthy North Shore to "enroll" them in some of the highest-performing schools in Illinois."
Los Angeles Times, September 7, 2010: Big changes for kindergarten?
"Some critics question the long-term benefits of holding a child back, but the proposed changes in California would help level the playing field for low-income children and English learners, proponents say."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 6, 2010: KSU clinic teaches, treats community
"The university and faith-based nonprofit that helps the homeless and poor have collaborated for more than 15 years to help meet the community's physical and mental health needs, said Donna Chambers, the clinic nurse manager and a nursing professor."
The News & Observer, September 6, 2010: School integration enters its 50th year
"'What we're trying to do is build on the past 50 years,' Margiotta said. 'We're focusing on the education of all students. The low-income children have been deprived of a good education.'"
