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Find the latest stories, research, and insights on policies, programs, and ideas shaping the national conversation on poverty and economic mobility.

In the News
Education
Texas
2012
The Dallas Morning News, December 23, 2012: Homeless teens find shelter from stormy lives at North Dallas High School
December 23, 2012

The Dallas Morning News, December 23, 2012: Homeless teens find shelter from stormy lives at North Dallas High School

"There are 76 homeless students enrolled at the school, more than most other high schools in Dallas ISD. Mark Pierce, homeless liaison for Dallas ISD, wanted these kids to have everything they needed before the break - food, coats, bus passes - whatever it took so that they could come back after vacation."

In the News
Education
2012
Star-News, December 23, 2012: Topsail students turn poverty lessons into holiday help
December 23, 2012

Star-News, December 23, 2012: Topsail students turn poverty lessons into holiday help

"These students have spent the past several weeks learning about poverty, homelessness and hunger affecting people in Southeastern North Carolina. Now, by packing bag lunches to send to homeless shelters across the area, they're getting a chance to help."

In the News
Education
2012
The New York Times, December 22, 2012: For Poor, Leap to College Often Ends in a Hard Fall
December 22, 2012

The New York Times, December 22, 2012: For Poor, Leap to College Often Ends in a Hard Fall

"While both groups improved their odds of finishing college, the affluent improved much more, widening their sizable lead. Likely reasons include soaring incomes at the top and changes in family structure, which have left fewer low-income students with the support of two-parent homes. Neighborhoods have grown more segregated by class, leaving lower-income students increasingly concentrated in lower-quality schools."

In the News
Education
Pennsylvania
2012
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 2012: William Penn Foundation plans grants for arts, environment
December 19, 2012

The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 2012: William Penn Foundation plans grants for arts, environment

"The grants signal implementation of the foundation's new 10-year strategic vision, which focuses on closing the achievement gap for low-income children, protecting the region's water quality, and making its creative community more vibrant."

In the News
Education
Illinois
2012
Chicago Tribune, December 19, 2012: Some schools in Dist. 203 may get all-day kindergarten next fall
December 19, 2012

Chicago Tribune, December 19, 2012: Some schools in Dist. 203 may get all-day kindergarten next fall

"Half of the elementary schools in Naperville Unit District 203 may offer all-day kindergarten next year, under a proposal that won initial support from most school board members Monday. District officials say they would like to implement the program at its seven Title 1 schools, which are those that receive federal funds to assist low-income students."

In the News
Education
California
2012
The Press-Enterprise, December 19, 2012: RIVERSIDE: Family literacy class parents get free computers
December 19, 2012

The Press-Enterprise, December 19, 2012: RIVERSIDE: Family literacy class parents get free computers

"Smart Riverside, a nonprofit group that provides computers and training to low-income families, was to deliver the computer processor towers to the parents' homes later in the day, said Kathy Pitchford, staff development specialist with the Riverside Unified School District."

In the News
Education
Jobs
2012
Chattanooga Times Free Press, December 19, 2012: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam looks at expanding college scholarship options
December 19, 2012

Chattanooga Times Free Press, December 19, 2012: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam looks at expanding college scholarship options

"His major focus, the governor said, is grappling with controlling higher education costs while dealing with huge expected increases in TennCare, the state's Medicaid health care program for low-income children, pregnant women and disabled Tennesseans.'"

In the News
Education
Alabama
2012
Birmingham News, December 18, 2012: Combating the 'Summer slide': Birmingham coalition gives nearly $500,000 in grants to prevent summer learning loss
December 18, 2012

Birmingham News, December 18, 2012: Combating the 'Summer slide': Birmingham coalition gives nearly $500,000 in grants to prevent summer learning loss

"Nearly $500,000 in grants will go to local learning programs aimed to keep Birmingham-area students from experiencing the summer slide' which research shows happens to children when their minds are idle for three months in the summertime. Summer learning loss contributes to the achievement gap between low-income students and their higher-income peers, research shows."

In the News
Aging
2012
The Miami Herald, December 18, 2012: AP Sources: New Obama offer moves toward Boehner
December 18, 2012

The Miami Herald, December 18, 2012: AP Sources: New Obama offer moves toward Boehner

"Obama's willingness to reduce future cost-of-living increases in Social Security and numerous other government programs marked a clear a concession to Boehner, although it came with an asterisk. The president wants lower-income recipients to receive protection against any loss from scaling back future cost of living increases, these officials said. Nor did Obama's offer include raising the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67, a Republican goal that has drawn particularly strong objections from Democratic liberals."

In the News
Education
Texas
2012
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 17, 2012: Area colleges work to help students who are hungry and broke
December 17, 2012

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 17, 2012: Area colleges work to help students who are hungry and broke

"Many students saw their college savings dwindle during the recent recession, McGuinness said, because as parents lost their jobs, they dipped into college accounts to make house payments or pay bills. Some students teeter on the edge of poverty from semester to semester, McGuinness said. McGuinness has an open-door policy for students needing help. Sometimes, aid is as simple as finding a low-cost or housing payment plan tailored to the student's needs. Sometimes, officials are able to find students work."

In the News
Education
Jobs
2012
The Boston Globe, December 17, 2012: Children of working poor caught in pinch of recession
December 17, 2012

The Boston Globe, December 17, 2012: Children of working poor caught in pinch of recession

"The economic downturn of recent years has fallen particularly hard on low-income households, forcing teens to trade school for work and put their futures at risk. Yet more families are confronting this problem because incomes especially among the working poor have stagnated since the recession officially ended in 2009.A new report, 'How Youth Are Put At Risk By Parents' Low Wage Jobs,' by researchers at the University of Massachusetts and Boston College, says that adolescents, who often take on adult responsibilities to help keep families afloat, ultimately bear the brunt of these decisions."

In the News
Education
Kentucky
2012
The Lexington Herald Reader, December 17, 2012: (Op-Ed) Ky. Voices: Seniors should focus on saving at-risk children
December 17, 2012

The Lexington Herald Reader, December 17, 2012: (Op-Ed) Ky. Voices: Seniors should focus on saving at-risk children

"How can we begin today to create the skilled future work force of tomorrow? Let's start by boosting enrollment eligibility in the Kentucky Preschool Program from 150 percent to 200 percent of the poverty level. This would give almost 4,000 more 4-year-olds and their families access to a quality early education."