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"From elementary through high school, males are reading at lower levels than females. This doesn't bode well for future job opportunities for men or for the overall health of our workforce."

"Margarita Lopez grew up embarrassed by how easily she spoke Spanish. As she grew fluent in English and became one of the top students at her L.A. high school, she always considered her native language a reminder of her [working-class] roots..."

"Harold Tessendorf, executive director of Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, said his organization's mission statement is 'to bring together, in partnership, working families in need of decent housing with donors and volunteers to build decent and affordable houses.'"

"Washington is one of only nine states where the achievement gap for students of color and kids from low-income families is actually growing. For African American kids in Washington, the chances of graduating high school are like flipping a coin."

"The Texas Legislature first made tuition equalization grants available in 1971 to moderate- and low-income students who wanted to attend independent colleges but couldn't afford the tuition."

"The plan ensured that schools inside Raleigh didn't bear full responsibility for educating low-income students, while also guaranteeing that families priced out of affluent neighborhoods still had access to strong schools in other parts of the county."

"The highest graduation rates were females, at nearly 78 percent, and whites, at nearly 76 percent, according to the data. The lowest rates were students with disabilities, at 45 percent, Hispanic students, at nearly 63 percent, and poor students, at nearly 65 percent."

"The charters would also get transportation money and reduced-lunch programs but, until the latest version, would not have helped students from low-income families overcome barriers to enrolling in charter schools."

"One of the most debated recommendations of the independent library task force - to make saving branches in low-income areas a top priority - was reaffirmed in the group's final meeting Tuesday."

"As politicians in Washington debate how much money to cut from the Head Start preschool program ...16 of the kids in that program Tuesday morning built a model city... Since 1965, Head Start has taught millions of American kids from low-income families..."

"At Evergreen Community Charter School, 41 percent of our families qualify for free and reduced-price lunch with 23 percent below the poverty threshold; at ArtSpace Charter School, 49 percent qualify, with 31 percent below the poverty threshold..."

"Then there is the group about which we deficit pandas care most: the poor and working poor. They are at the greatest risk from a fiscal crisis, not merely because of the prospect of losing jobs."