Statistically speaking, low-income children have a harder time succeeding in school than some of their peers.
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin partnered with Fulmore Middle School and community leaders to make sure more kids who live in their housing projects go to school regularly.
They say part of the reason is transportation issues.
"We have parents who work from very early. The kids have to get up and get ready for school themselves and because we're within a two-mile radius of the school, we don't have buses that pick up the kids," Diana Trimino of HACA said.
Kelly Roth, a government housing resident, said better transportation and resources would help, but neglect is also part of the problem.
"To be honest, it's probably both because we have a lot of parents who don't work and would rather sit at home and let their kids walk to school," she said.
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Dropout prevention
The Housing Authority is working to reduce chronic absences of students who live in their housing projects.
 
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The Housing Authority said almost 30 percent of its school-age children received perfect attendance during the last grading period. That's almost 500 kids, up from the 60 kids who had perfect attendance in 2000.
The agency has awarded students with gift certificates for perfect attendance or making the honor roll, and they distribute free school supplies to eligible students.
They also have a scholarship program that awarded $50,000 in scholarships in 2004.
Fulmore Middle School in South Austin has a high percentage of government housing students and at least 20 students have chronic absences.
Principal Lucio Calzada said the chronic absences may not just be among kids living in government housing, but he's happy with the Housing Authority's efforts to get more children to school regularly.
