5 ms·

On this particular issue of college accessibility to high-achieving underprivileged kids, Texas is the most progressive state in the US. Name a "progressive"

• notch656a 4y ago
  Texas also has some of the more progressive housing policies, with basically no zoning in places like Houston and fairly high property taxes which disincentivize speculators from sitting on real estate. In regards to education, they allow a "academic fresh start" for university GPA, allowing those with a difficult start to erase 10+ year old GPA. It can help those with difficult beginnings get into medical school, for instance. The only state I know of with such a policy.
  • civilized 4y ago
    Real progressivism. Teddy Roosevelt would approve.
  • eru 4y ago
    Do keep in mind that things are not as great in Houston as they seem: They have no formal zoning, but they still have mandatory minimum parking requirements etc that outlaw density.
• s5300 4y ago
  Can’t have high-achieving underprivileged kids if they don’t even have lunch to eat during school…
  • acchow 4y ago
    For those missing context, I believe this is a reference to California high schools which provide free lunch to students (and I guess this doesn't happen in Texas...?)
    • tstrimple 4y ago
      California is the only state in the country with this policy.
      • MichaelCollins 4y ago
        Poor kids get free or reduced cost lunches in all 50 states, thanks to the National School Lunch Program. The income threshold is adjusted annually to account for changes to the CPI. Tens of millions of kids participate in this program every year. California's innovation is giving free food to middle class kids then taking credit for feeding the poor kids.
        • jessaustin 4y ago
          There are lots of districts here in Missouri that have decided to make lunches (and breakfasts!) free for everyone in elementary and junior high school because the percentage of low-income families is high enough that that ends up being cheaper than wasting resources on means testing and collections. Regardless of how wealthy her parents are (or how difficult it is for her parents to fill out forms), you can't just not provide lunch to e.g. a 7yo who lost her money. Arguing with children about money doesn't contribute to the educational mission.
          • MichaelCollins 4y ago
            > you can't just not provide lunch to e.g. a 7yo who lost her money. Right, and they don't. I forgot my lunch money frequently as a kid. The school always fed me anyway, after taking down my name to have a chat with my parents (to inquire if I needed to be signed up for free lunches, and to collect the debt since my parents could easily afford it.) They won't let you skip lunch.
            • jessaustin 4y ago
              Sure, but you're describing a complication that doesn't exist if the district just feeds everybody. I'm not saying that this is always the right decision for a particular district, just that many districts outside California have made it.
• zeroonetwothree 4y ago
  CA has exactly the same system. I’m not sure which was first.
• acchow 4y ago
  Doesn't California have TWO public university systems doing this? University of California and California State University?