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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.

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Delaware
2012
The News Journal, February 24, 2012: Black Caucus threatens suit over Race to the Top reforms
February 24, 2012

The News Journal, February 24, 2012: Black Caucus threatens suit over Race to the Top reforms

"The leader of the Delaware Black Caucus said if the state's Race to the Top education reform plan doesn't result in greater racial equality in schools and a fairer distribution of education dollars, the group may consider taking legal action."

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Education
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Indiana
2012
The Indianapolis Star, February 24, 2012: Grading system likely to hurt high-poverty schools most
February 24, 2012

The Indianapolis Star, February 24, 2012: Grading system likely to hurt high-poverty schools most

"Indianapolis Public School 46 is a success story, a lauded example of how a school whose students come from poverty can excel with help from a community partner. Just last week, Kroger announced that the grocery chain would again commit $100,000 in cash and volunteers this year to the school it adopted 27 years ago."

In the News
Education
2012
The Washington Post, February 24, 2012: Charter-school power for D.C. discussed
February 24, 2012

The Washington Post, February 24, 2012: Charter-school power for D.C. discussed

"Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Chancellor Kaya Henderson are discussing a plan to restore the District's power to create public charter schools as part of an effort to raise the quality of education in low-income communities."

In the News
Aging
2012
Contra Costa Times, February 24, 2012: Orinda affordable senior housing taking shape
February 24, 2012

Contra Costa Times, February 24, 2012: Orinda affordable senior housing taking shape

"Plans for a low-income senior housing development in downtown Orinda are picking up steam more than a decade after their inception. City leaders on Tuesday approved a complex financial agreement with Eden Housing, Inc., a nonprofit hoping to develop 67 units of affordable living space at the site of the old Orinda Library."

In the News
Aging
Jobs
2012
Columbia Daily Tribune, February 23, 2012: Coalition to focus on funding senior services agencies
February 23, 2012

Columbia Daily Tribune, February 23, 2012: Coalition to focus on funding senior services agencies

"A coalition of senior service agencies is quickly moving to replace part of the money they will lose next year under the Heart of Missouri United Way's new funding model."

In the News
Aging
California
2012
Los Angeles Time, February 23, 2012: Retirement for the forgotten
February 23, 2012

Los Angeles Time, February 23, 2012: Retirement for the forgotten

"Now De Leon (D-Los Angeles) is teaming up with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to lessen that prospect of poverty in the declining years. He's proposing legislation that would allow the likes of his aunt to enroll in a modest state-operated retirement program financed by the beneficiaries with virtually no cost to employers or taxpayers."

In the News
Education
California
2012
Los Angeles Times, February 23, 2012: L.A. truancy law scaled back
February 23, 2012

Los Angeles Times, February 23, 2012: L.A. truancy law scaled back

"During an hourlong discussion, more than 30 people criticized the rule as financially crippling -- fines and court costs could surpass $800 -- and criminalizing to students who, though tardy, were trying to attend school. Many of those fined came from low-income families that could ill afford such costs."

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Education
Florida
2012
Naples Daily News, February 23, 2012: Study: More Florida children live in poverty than decade ago; Region mirrors trend
February 23, 2012

Naples Daily News, February 23, 2012: Study: More Florida children live in poverty than decade ago; Region mirrors trend

"It's worth noting that living in a distressed neighborhood doesn't mean that all of the children are living in poverty, she said. That's because a distressed subdivision or multifamily complex could be in the same general neighborhood as a wealthy one. In Florida, 341,000 children reside in neighborhoods where at least 30 percent of the residents are impoverished."

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Education
Health
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Idaho
2012
Idaho Falls Post Register, February 23, 2012: More free lunches frees up funding for schools (Subscription Required)
February 23, 2012

Idaho Falls Post Register, February 23, 2012: More free lunches frees up funding for schools (Subscription Required)

"While the increase is indicative of higher poverty among Idaho families, the rise in enrollment also means Idaho schools receive more federal funding to pay for special programs and hire staff. Colleen Fillmore, state child nutrition director, blamed the struggling economy for the increase and said more Idaho families are in financial need than in previous years."

In the News
Education
2012
The Post and Courier, February 23, 2012: School pantries helping families needy local students take home donated food
February 23, 2012

The Post and Courier, February 23, 2012: School pantries helping families needy local students take home donated food

"'Our poverty level is about 50 percent,' Assistant Principal Ted Brinkley said. 'There are those students out there who come to school hungry and worry about where their next meal is coming from.'"

In the News
Aging
California
2012
Contra Costa Times, February 23, 2012: Tri Delta Transit to take over operations for Antioch senior bus program
February 23, 2012

Contra Costa Times, February 23, 2012: Tri Delta Transit to take over operations for Antioch senior bus program

"Antioch residents age 60 and older are now charged 50 cents per ride. In return, the city will give its three buses back to the transit agency. Tri Delta Transit has applied for funding on Antioch's behalf since 1999 and passed the $275,000 subsidy to the city for the bus program. That will end Aug. 31.A program that gives free rides to low-income seniors to the Antioch Senior Center for lunch would remain, said Jeanne Krieg, Tri Delta's chief executive officer."

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Education
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Illinois
2012
Chicago Tribune, February 22, 2012: Race in college entry revisited; Supreme Court will take up universities' affirmative action
February 22, 2012

Chicago Tribune, February 22, 2012: Race in college entry revisited; Supreme Court will take up universities' affirmative action

"Some argue that the top universities should pick up on Obama's theme and give an edge to high school students who come from low-income families, regardless of race or ethnic heritage. 'These campuses pride themselves on being liberal and racially diverse, but there are huge class inequalities,' said Richard Kahlenberg, a scholar at The Century Foundation in Washington."