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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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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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The Associated Press, June 27, 2010: 100 percent of school's first class college-bound
"About 85 percent came from low-income families, the overwhelming majority single-mother households. Many kids lagged far behind in academics, but that wasn't their only obstacle. There was poverty."
The Associated Press, June 27, 2010: Homeless Jackson artist's story a muse to others
"In two months, Bob Muse no longer will lie down for the night inside a homeless shelter or under a tree. For the first time in a couple of years, he'll sleep on his own bed. For the first time in 39 years, he'll be in college."
The Oregonian, June 26, 2010: Lack of grants squeezes out students
"A small increase in federal Pell Grants for low-income students will help offset the cuts in Opportunity Grants, but many students will take on additional debt..'There is definitely going to be an income strata of students who will make a decision not to go to college right now.'"
The Oregonian, June 26, 2010: Lack of grants squeezes out students
"A small increase in federal Pell Grants for low-income students will help offset the cuts in Opportunity Grants, but many students will take on additional debt, said Bob Kieran, the Oregon University System's assistant vice chancellor for research."
The News & Observer, June 25, 2010: Meeker talks of suing schools
"Critics of the board's majority have warned that the move to neighborhood schools could result in de facto resegregation that would be devastating in areas with high concentrations of poverty, places such as Southeast Raleigh."
Los Angeles Times, June 25, 2010: Mayor backs charter bids for schools
"The mayor of Los Angeles sided publicly with local charter schools Thursday in their latest bid to take over new and low-performing campuses, while sharply criticizing the L.A. schools superintendent, his onetime deputy."
The Associated Press, June 24, 2010: Libraries fading as school budget crisis deepens
"A trip to the school library may be a weekly highlight for children who love to read, but for kids from low-income families, it's more of the necessity than a treat, according to literacy experts and the librarians who help kids struggling in high school without a home computer."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 24, 2010: In debt, trying to stay afloat
"The move will eliminate fees paid to private banks that act as intermediaries, saving the government billions of dollars. The government expects to use much of the savings to boost the Federal Pell Grant Program for low-income students starting in 2013."
The New York Times, June 24, 2010: Battle Lines Drawn Over For-Profit Colleges
"One source of contention was the planned appearance at the hearings of Steven Eisman... He has recently compared the for-profit college sector to the subprime mortgage banking industry -- arguing that both grew rapidly based on lending to low-income people with little ability to repay..."
Charlotte Observer, June 24, 2010: School leaders seek ways to give each child a chance
"But the proposed change has brought bitter opposition from activists representing low-income neighborhoods and schools, as well as African-American groups such as the Black Political Caucus and the NAACP."
The Washington Post, June 24, 2010: With someone to look up to, students' lives looking up
"The schools were selected when the county adopted the program in 2008, based on student achievement needs and poverty levels, said Karene Brodie, executive director for the county's Hillside Work-Scholarship program."
The Washington Post, June 23, 2010: (Editorial) Opportunity denied; D.C.'s voucher program is increasing graduation rates
"The graduation rate for students who were offered scholarships was 82 percent, compared with 70 percent for those not in the program.... It's hard to discount the difference that vouchers made for the low-income students participating in the program."
