Missouri
State Government
Governor
Mike Parson (R)
State Senate
9
Democrats,
24
Republicans
State House
51
Democrats,
111
Republicans
Economic well-being - Missouri
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.2
Minimum wage
13.8
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
12.3%
Unemployment rate
4.1
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
7.7
Poverty by demographic - Missouri
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
N/A
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
94000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
49000
Senior poverty rate
10.8 %
Women in poverty
3,088,608
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 2012: (Op-Ed) Link between poverty, school success needs to be systemically addressed
"While there has been a growing recognition of the correlation between poverty and school performance, little has been to done to systemically address it. Recently, a survey for the Normandy schools indicated that 111 organizations were working with the schools. This activity, unless strategically planned, will have minimal value."
Springfield News-Leader, November 14, 2012: Springfield schools to get more federal money, some schools placed on focus list
"The Springfield school board received both good and bad news Tuesday about its highest poverty schools. The good: More federal funding is now available to help low-income students. The bad: Four Springfield elementary schools have been placed on the state's list of focus' schools, those with high poverty and inadequate achievement among student subgroups."
Kansas City Business Journal, October 11, 2012: Metropolitan Community College gets $2.5M for nursing program
"Metropolitan Community College has received a $2.5 million grant to allow more low-income students to enter the school's nursing program."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 23, 2012: Cash prizes for schools that get more kids to eat breakfast
"Children in struggling families can qualify to receive federally funded free or reduced-priced breakfasts at school, yet students don't always have the time for serving lines and some schools don't offer them. Figures show that just over half of eligible low-income children in Missouri receive breakfast at school each day."
Springfield News-Leader, June 30, 2012: Waiver gives schools some new options
"Three days after the Springfield school board split over whether to absorb or shore up a deep cut in federal Title I funding for low-income students, the point may be moot. On Friday, state education officials announced that Missouri received a 'flexibility waiver' from the No Child Left Behind law. Among other things, it frees up how Title I funding can be spent."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 25, 2012: Feud jeopardizing preschool funding
"'It will ensure all children - especially low-income and high-needs children - enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life,' the letter said. 'We know you share our passion for doing what's best to ensure the success of all of Missouri's children.'"