Latest Coverage

"The nation's wealthiest colleges collectively have failed since 2004 to significantly boost low-income enrollment, and more than half saw declines, including the main campuses of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh, a survey says."

"Tough choices are needed to bring down spending and the deficit. But eliminating national and community service programs would strike a devastating blow to nonprofits, communities, and millions of vulnerable citizens at a time when social needs are growing, unemployment is high, and Americans are eager to serve."

"Yes, many districts have fine schools, filled with caring teachers and dedicated principals. Be grateful if you have such a school in your neighborhood. Because many others, especially in low-income, urban areas, can't make that boast."

"It serves roughly the population of a small city: 20,000 to 24,000 students daily. The district's average cost of each lunch: $4.63. Students who aren't low income pay between $3.15 and $4. The district's food operation has to 'float its own boat,' Stromstad explained."

"An article by two University of Georgia researchers in the latest issue of the Journal of Poverty demonstrates that students participating in a simulation "soften their attitudes" regarding those who live in poverty."

"The Ascension Parish Public School System is trying to shrink the learning gap at its high-poverty schools with a newly created Office of Turnaround and Instruction."

"'For too long, the funding needs of our teachers, aging schools and students in low-income areas have been neglected,' Balcorta said in a statement. 'Hispanics have become the first in our nation to drop out and the last to head to college.'"

"It will essentially make it acceptable to deny access to higher education for low- income students, and since tuition assistance is not rising with the cost of tuition, any increase at this point would be irrational or very difficult to repay."

"South Burlington standardized test scores on the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) are relatively strong, but there's still an achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students. Many school systems grapple with this."

"The program at Moore Community House in Back Bay Biloxi is the only Early Head Start program on the Coast, White said. Early Head Start is a child development program that accepts children in low-income families from 8 weeks up to 3 years old."

"Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law billions of dollars in budget cuts Thursday that will mean fewer government services, particularly for the old, the poor and the sick."

"The fundamental problem in urban districts is that there isn't enough money available to overcome the overwhelming challenge of poverty. Students from low-income homes with poor nutrition and little if any family support arrive in school every day ill-prepared to learn."