California

"Zyheema and her sister, Zakiyyah, 4, have joined neighborhood children in a nine-week dance class at the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts. The Dancing Daisies classes, which normally cost $64 each, will be free for the homeless sisters, courtesy of a new program through the Children of Shelters."

"Because of a federal budget cut, tens of thousands of low-income high school students will face steeper price tags for their Advanced Placement exams this May -- forcing many to scramble to meet costs and others to forgo exams that could save thousands in college tuition."

"Children from low-income families -- who make up about 80% of L.A. Unified students -- are less likely to eat breakfast, according to the California Food Policy Advocates. Some parents may not be able to afford the food; others may leave for work too early to make breakfast for their children."

"If you're a kid on the streets, jumping from shelter to couch to doorway each night, a square meal isn't likely a part of your regular diet. That's exactly why the young leaders at Wind Youth Services all of them formerly homeless put nutrition at the top of their list of health topics to teach the vulnerable teens who spend their days there."

"Meeting the needs of minorities and students in poverty who are not reaching the same academic targets as their peers remains the chief challenge facing San Luis Obispo County school districts."

"Scroggins said the nonprofit received a record high 48,000 applicants this year for 5,800 positions. Teach for America recruits commit two years to teach at schools that serve impoverished students."