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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

Day: January 18, 2011

Achievement Gap – Connecticut

Achievement gap more than a black and white issue, By Maggie Gordon, January 18, 2011, Stamford Advocate: “The achievement gap between low-income and non-low-income students in Connecticut is the largest in the nation, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The gap between low-income students and their non-low-income peers is not the only achievement gap in Connecticut; white students also consistently outperform black and Hispanic students. ‘We know there is a high correlation between poverty and ethnicity in Connecticut, and that if you look at Hispanic and black student groups, there is a high likelihood that they’re also poor,’ said Tom Murphy, spokesman for the state Department of Education…”

Fast Food Ban – South Los Angeles, CA

In South Los Angeles, new fast-food spots get a ‘No, thanks’, By Jennifer Medina, January 15, 2011, New York Times: “Driving along Crenshaw Boulevard, it is not difficult to find a place to grab a bite. At some intersections, there is a fast-food joint on each corner. If the restaurant chains had their way in some parts of town, city officials say, no street would be without its own fast-food outlet. Los Angeles is making one of the nation’s most radical food policies permanent by effectively banning new fast-food restaurants in South Los Angeles, a huge section of the city that has significantly higher rates of poverty and obesity than other neighborhoods. A handful of much smaller cities have enacted similar regulations for primarily aesthetic reasons, but Los Angeles, officials say, is the first to do so as part of a public health effort. The regulations, which the City Council passed unanimously last month, are meant to encourage healthier neighborhood dining options. Supporters envision more sit-down restaurants, produce-filled grocery stores and takeout meals that center on salad rather than fries…”