California

"The state's new education funding formula provides extra money for all low-income children, students learning English and foster youth, and contributes more dollars if they make up the bulk of students in a district. But if these 'high-need' kids happen to be concentrated in a few schools within wealthier districts, they get less funding than they would receive in a poor district, a recent study revealed. The report also cautioned that districts' accountability plans lacked the information to determine if the students were receiving the help they needed."

"There is strong evidence that poverty is the major problem in American education: When researchers control for poverty, our performance on international tests is at the top of the world. Poverty means poor diet, inadequate healthcare and lack of access to books."

"More than 40 years ago, California set a goal of providing access to higher education for low and middle-income students. That goal became a reality with the passage of funding for Cal Grants, cash awards for college aid, and the application window is open through March 2."

"Wealthy individuals and corporations have an opportunity to do good this year while they do well, thanks to a new and little-known tax break. Two laws by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Len provide College Access Tax Credits for contributions to the popular Cal Grants program that helps low-income students. These new tax credits are reserved for contributions to so-called Cal Grant B awards that help pay for books, housing and transportation while students attend community colleges or four-year schools. Contributors in turn can use the credits to reduce their state and federal income tax bills."

"Reading Partners now operates in eight states, including California, where 9 out of every 10 fourth-graders from low-income families are reading below grade level. Unless something is done to help them step up to reading proficiency, they are four times less likely than proficient readers to graduate high school on time -- complicating their chances at going to college, and increasing the likelihood that they will have run-ins with the law, studies show."

"Grissom is among the almost half-million low-income elders and people with disabilities being initially enrolled in the state's new program, and many have been confused by CMC's complexities, leaving them uncertain of whether they will be able to remain with their current doctors and other health care providers. If successful, the state would expand the program to 1.1 million people in all 58 counties."