Report: Percentage of high-poverty schools rises
The percentage of public schools where more than three quarters of students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch -- a key indicator of poverty -- has increased in the past decade, and children at these schools are less likely to attend college or be taught by teachers with advanced degrees.
The U.S. Department of Education report released Thursday found that the percent of high poverty schools rose from 12 to 17 percent between the 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 school years, even before the current recession was fully felt. By comparison, the overall poverty rate for children increased from 17 to 18 percent, leading researchers to believe that that a higher percentage of poor kids were signing up for the meal program.
In all, there were 16,122 schools considered high-poverty.
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Chancellor under fire for president removal
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