Homelessness: An Issue for Tennessee Schools, Students and ...

?

Nashville, TN ? The number of homeless students attending public schools in Tennessee has increased substantially since a national economic downturn that began in late 2007, according to a report recently released by the Comptroller?s Offices of Research and Education Accountability.

Nationwide, the number of homeless students grew from 679,724 to 939,903 from the 2006-2007 academic year to the 2009-2010 academic year ? an increase of about 38 percent. In Tennessee, the percentage increase was much higher over the same time span. The number of homeless students in Tennessee grew from 6,565 to 11,458 ? a jump of about 74 percent.

There?s also evidence to suggest that not all of Tennessee?s homeless students were counted. Several surrounding states (including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana) have identified significantly higher numbers of homeless students. And some school districts in areas of Tennessee with high unemployment and/or high foreclosure rates have identified no homeless students at all.

The increase in homeless students may be attributable to job losses and other difficulties related to the economy that have affected families, but they may also be the result of some school districts? improved efforts to identify homeless students.

The federal McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act requires that each school district appoints a local homeless education coordinator, whose responsibilities include ensuring that school personnel identify homeless children and provide access to the same public educational services available to other children.

The federal law addresses some of the problems that homeless children have confronted in enrolling, attending and succeeding in school. The law defines homeless children as those who lack fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residences.

The effects of homelessness on children?s educational progress are significant. According to research cited by the National Center on Family Homelessness, compared to their housed counterparts, children who are homeless:

• Are four times more likely to show delayed development
• Are twice as likely to have learning disabilities
• Have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems.

Because their families move frequently, homeless children tend to change schools and miss classes more often. Homeless students are more likely to repeat grades, be placed in special education or fail academically, all of which can lead to dropping out. Nationally, fewer than 25 percent of homeless students graduate from high school.

For more information, view the full report online.

Sections

News

Topics

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Homeless, Homeless Students, Kentucky, Louisiana, McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act, Nashville TN, National Center on Family Homelessness, Tennessee, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Tennessee Schools, unemployment

Related posts

• Austin Peay Lady Govs Soccer's Emily Perkins gets pair of Tennessee Sports Writers Association Awards October 30th, 2012
• Tennessee Titans find watching replays of Sunday's game tough October 30th, 2012
• NASA Satellites monitor Hurricane Sandy October 30th, 2012
• Second Harvest Looks to set Record for Largest NFL Food Drive before the Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears game Sunday at LP Field October 29th, 2012
• Charlie Daniels Releases New Single, ?Take Back The USA? October 29th, 2012
• Tennessee Titans drop close game in over time to Indianapolis Colts October 29th, 2012
• Space Exploration Technologies Dragon spacecraft splashes in the Pacific and brings with it NASA Cargo from International Space Station October 29th, 2012
• Tennessee Department of Correction Launches Operation Blackout for Halloween October 28th, 2012
• Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approves 2013-2014 Fishing Regulations October 28th, 2012
• Tennessee Department of Transportation Maintenance Work for Montgomery County area starting October 29th, 2012 October 28th, 2012

Source: http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/10/30/homelessness-an-issue-for-tennessee-schools-students-and-families/

ben gibbard nfl playoff schedule tim howard scores nick cannon kidney failure consumer financial protection bureau casey anthony video recess appointment