Ohio

"Learning those skills in preschool - things like listening skills, vocabulary, sharing, focusing - add up to kindergarten readiness,' which some studies show is critically important to a child's future success. Especially children who come from low-income families - and about 85 percent of these students do."

"Springfield receives the largest cut of federal funding locally at nearly $8 million, including more than $5 million through Title I. With potential cuts of 5 percent in July and an additional 8 percent in October, Miller said the district stands to lose nearly $1 million in federal funding."

"Chronic absenteeism - kids missing more than 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days - is just as big a problem as mobility, according to reports from states or districts that track that data. In 2011-12, more than 2,300 K-3 students in Greater Cincinnati fell into that category, according to the fledgling Read On! Attendance Collaborative. The coalition of non-profit education and community groups is starting to track absenteeism for the first time."

"Social Security prevents many older Ohioans of color from falling deep into poverty. The importance of the program to minorities should not be overlooked during discussions on whether or how to reform the system, experts said. We know that savings and 401(k) balances are inadequate, and that is why Social Security matters, no matter if you are white, black or Latino,' said Kimberly Blanton, author of the Squared Away Blog at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. But it is even more important for low-income people, which often means minorities.'"

"Superintendents and treasurers from low-income, rural school districts across the state gathered at the Statehouse yesterday to push for significant changes to a funding formula they say punishes their students."

"It has been a long journey for Mary Rose Estates, which initially wanted to open in Willoughby but had to find another location after the city vetoed the plans. The 40-unit building is intended for seniors and is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development."