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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
Statesman Journal, August 2, 2011: Fewer schools hit new, higher federal targets
"28 schools did not meet state benchmarks for the 2010-2011 school year. Schools fail to meet benchmarks if one of nine subgroups in English or math - such as low-income, disabled or minority students - does not have enough students that are proficient. To meet benchmarks, schools must have 70 percent of students pass state English and math tests."
The Ithaca Journal, August 2, 2011: Debt deal cuts graduate loans to boost Pell grants
"A federal subsidy that aids graduate students would be eliminated to boost funding for Pell grants that help low-income undergraduates, under the compromise debt-ceiling bill moving through Congress. That trade-off is one of the few program changes specified in the bill."
The Arizona Republic, August 2, 2011: ASU charter school gets 9th-graders
"But a look at demographic differences between the students at each school reveals that ASU Preparatory in downtown Phoenix is working with students who come with challenges often cited by education experts as hindrances to academic success, such as poverty."
Asbury Park Press, August 2, 2011: Cooling aid offered for seniors, disabled
"The administration of Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that additional money from the federal government has made the aid possible. The aid is in addition to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program relief that about 135,000 households are getting for heating costs in the winter. "
Green Bay Press-Gazette, August 1, 2011: Summer programs teach kid-friendly subjects
"Local school districts typically offer two or three summer school sessions, each lasting a few weeks. Most also ask for fees for some classes, ranging from about $6 to $25. Costs usually are more for students from other school districts, and some low-income students may be exempt from fees."
The Baltimore Sun, August 1, 2011: The cost of excessive suspensions
"Students return to school further behind and less engaged in class, creating a cycle that is hard to break. The Texas report points to the inevitable consequences of excessive suspensions: the school-to-prison pipeline that claims too many of our students."
Newsday, August 1, 2011: Nonprofit's summer studies program offers path to college (Subscription Required)
"Guyton, 16, was one of 55 Westbury students who last week completed a summer study program through Project GRAD, a national nonprofit aimed at improving graduation rates and increasing college access in low-income areas."
The Washington Post, August 1, 2011: Universities help offset high cost of internships
"Alumni or parents of students usually fund the awards, which can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Often the scholarships are limited to low-income students or those working at nonprofit organizations, although some can be used by any student for any internship."
Los Angeles Times July 31, 2011: A troubled time for education turns dire
"'These are extraordinarily inequitable cuts for low-income communities of color,' said Arun Ramanathan... He said that a shorter academic year and cuts to summer classes exacerbate their generally lagging achievement because many low-income students cannot afford the enriched activities enjoyed by their middle-class counterparts..."
Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2011: A UC Berkeley study shows that teachers are leaving L.A. charter schools at an alarmingly high rate. It's no surprise.
"She wasn't willing to deal with this level of apathy and teacher abuse, so she switched to a highly regarded charter elementary school in the Bay Area. She was still teaching high-poverty black and Latino children, but at the new school parents were held accountable and completely incorrigible students were expelled."
Gloucester County Times, July 30, 2011: Rowan's Aim High Academy offers opportunity to budding students
"The academy - funded by a $127,000 grant from the Commission on Higher Education and additional funding from Rowan's College of Education - was open to high school students who are from low-income families or who will be first-generation college students."
The Dallas Morning News, July 30, 2011: School ratings plunge
"Creekview, Newman Smith and Ranchview had all relied on the measure to gain recognized ratings last year. R.L. Turner hadn't, but it sank to acceptable because not enough students from low-income families earned commended scores on TAKS tests."
