Inside the struggle to alleviate student poverty in LA schools

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Podcasts Take Two

Feb 17, 2016

Listen • 8:59

Inside the struggle to alleviate student poverty in LA schools

Almost 80 percent of pupils in LA qualify for free lunch based on family income — that's well above the state and national average.

A student on his way to school walks past a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school, in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2009.

Almost 80 percent of pupils in LA qualify for free lunch based on family income — that's well above the state and national average.

One of the biggest challenges for Los Angeles schools is the number of students who live in poverty.

Almost 80 percent of pupils in the district qualify for free lunch based on family income — that's well above the state and national average.

Nationwide, about half of all students are classified as poor. Anti-poverty programs in schools can offer free breakfast and lunch to poor students, but that may not be enough. Should schools and school districts be required to do more to help students in poverty?

Take Two put that question to Alex Johnson, executive director of Children's Defense Fund, California.

Almost 80 percent of pupils in LA qualify for free lunch based on family income — that's well above the state and national average.

Press the Blue play button above to hear the interview.