Iowa

"Parents' lack of education often translates into poverty for their children and increases the likelihood that their children will struggle in school, research shows."

"Davenport schools Superintendent Art Tate said the federal labels don't help the district because the performance goals are not realistic. The district has instead focused on closing the achievement gap among minority students. Last year produced mixed results: Latinos fell behind in reading and math, while black students showed improvement. Iowa schools, particularly those in urban districts, all are working against the grinding force of poverty, he said."

"States receive federal money to feed senior citizens lunch. These programs require no proof of income, meaning an older person can pull up to a senior center in a Cadillac and eat a hot, nutritious meal for free. No questions asked. Yet feeding school children means embarrassing low-income families and forcing schools to try to collect on debts."

"According to the latest data provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count program, the percent of young people in Des Moines under age 18 who are living in poverty has reached 27 percent. The percent statewide has also grown over the past five years. This means that at least one out of every three students we serve in Des Moines schools is living in poverty. As the adults who spend a majority of our time with these children, it is incumbent upon us to take a stand for these young people."

"Work on the long-planned Franklin Field senior housing complex, which will add low-income housing for senior citizens in the Waveland Park neighborhood, is expected to begin by fall."

"Philipp and fellow Grinnell College students Noah Most and Kathy Andersen instead spent the previous 59 minutes passionately talking about how they help local folks who are broke and have nowhere to turn."