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Homelessness

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Lost Without a Home Homelessness is an issue which is currently plaguing the country. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, “more than 1.5 million children live in families without a home” (Aratani, 4). This epidemic is growing even more rapidly among school aged children. According to the English Oxford Dictionary, home can be defined as “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.” This definition implies a need for more than a shelter. It implies a lack of belonging and inclusiveness that people often overlook in the discussion about the effects of homelessness. Furthermore, school-aged children spend most of each day at school; it is, therefore, important to provide educators …show more content…

Lack of adequate food, hygienic products, and stable living conditions is especially difficult to manage, particularly for school-aged children who may not be able to navigate these responsibilities. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth suggests that “each school transition sets a child back by an average of 4-6 months”(Teicher). According to Conniff, “Kids who move frequently are significantly more likely to fail a grade, and to have multiple behavioral problems." This means that students with repeated moves are constantly increasing their chances of not meeting academic standards. Teicher also argues that students with high mobility rates are only half as likely to graduate from high school. In comparison to students with stable housing, homeless students fall behind in both academic content areas and graduation rates (Harris). It has been noted that 75% of elementary students performed below grade level in reading and math, and 85% for high school students (“Hidden in Plain Sight”). Homeless students graduate at a rate of 55%, while their peers graduate at a rate of 74% (Harris). The consequences for this instability also reduces opportunities for these students as they become adults. In many cases, the lack of educational attainment can lead to a life of crime. Experts say many state prison populations include thousands of people …show more content…

Students who are homeless, are often sent to school without breakfast or lunch. A 2008 study shows that malnutrition can reduce the brain's capacity to learn, and poor students quickly end up falling behind their classmates (Johnston). Not only are homeless children at a disadvantage because of their physical health, but according to Ellen Bassuk, they are also twice as likely to suffer from mental illness. Authors Kidd and Kral suggest that “76% of youth that are homeless indicated that they have attempted suicide, have felt rejection, low self esteem and isolation". The lack of stability and transience among homeless youth also make them more susceptible to different forms of abuse. As indicated by the graph below, 45% of homeless youth have reported experiencing physical abuse, 38% have reported experiencing emotional abuse, and 17% have reported being forced into sexual activity. Dealing with these traumatic experiences on a daily basis causes these students to suffer in the classroom setting. It is vital for teachers to intervene and provide homeless students with what they need to overcome these barriers and experience improved opportunities for

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