Elementary School Teachers’ Experiences Working With Homeless Students

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Lives of Teachers SIG Poster Session

Abstract

The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program is the key federal policy to address the needs of homeless students. Even though teachers are students’ primary contact point, the EHCY program provides little guidance on recommended teacher practices. This study aims to address the existing gap on teachers’ awareness and experiences working with homeless students. We conducted interviews with 28 teachers at three elementary schools serving homeless students, and employed a consensual qualitative research approach. Emerging findings include a lack of consistency in how teachers identify homeless students and minimal teacher training opportunities regarding working with homeless students and families. Findings have the potential to reveal critical components that may be lacking emphasis in the EHCY Program.

Authors

• Kirby Ann Chow, University of California - Los Angeles

• Rashmita Mistry, University of California - Los Angeles