“In Focus: The Poverty Measure”

The federal government currently measures poverty in America using a method originally developed in 1963. Although our country’s economy has changed profoundly during the intervening decades, the criteria used to calculate who is living in poverty have not.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a bipartisan organization formed by major U.S. foundations, provides a resource section on its Web site that offers comprehensive analysis of the federal poverty measure. The site, www.povertymeasure.org, offers background on the federal poverty measure, commentary, extensive data and research, an overview of proposed Congressional legislation -- including the latest news -- and a look at local efforts to revamp the measure.
 

Visit the Web site.