KC Star Column Misleads Readers on Government Programs

The author of a Kansas City Star opinion piece misleads readers to think the problem of U.S. poverty in low-income family households is caused by lack of a male breadwinner and cured by a couple getting married to improve their income level. The best part, author Joseph McLiney writes, is that the improvement happens with "no government handouts." He points out in his "Three rules for avoiding poverty" column how a Brookings Institute report underscores this connection, however, the column overlooks the fact that most U.S. students -- of all income levels -- attend public school, largely funded by state and local governments, as well as the Federal budget.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/14/3966589/midwest-voices-three-rules-for.html#storylink=cpy

The Brookings Institute report "Combating Poverty: Understanding New Challenges for Families" says:
...only 34 percent of children whose parents were in the bottom income quintile enrolled in college and only 11 percent received a four-year degree. If education is one of the routes out of poverty, the American educational system seems to be perpetuating poverty and income distinctions as much as it facilitates movement up the income scale.
This indicates the need for a larger government investment in public education in order to make trade schools and college more affordable for low-income students and families.

US Census report on public school funding -
http://www2.census.gov/govs/school/10f33pub.pdf

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