Graduation (and Beyond) for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: New Ideas From New Sources

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

One of the greatest injustices in our education system is the hidden effect of housing instability on educational outcomes. Although 40% of US homelessness is comprised of families with children, and a record 1.3 million unhoused children enroll in public schools across the country, this is a population largely unseen, underserved, and likely not to graduate. Unfortunately, though perhaps not surprisingly, BIPOC students are overrepresented in this population. Forty years of research have helped us understand the phenomenon better, but grades and graduation rates remain, as does enrollment in college. This session invites researchers and practitioners to explore novel avenues – one international, one interdisciplinary – for ideas on how to re-engage learners facing housing instability.

Sub Unit

• Division C - Learning and Instruction / Division C - Section 2b: Learning and Motivation in Social and Cultural Contexts

Chair

• Kerri Tobin, Louisiana State University

Papers

• Successful Teaching of Out-of-School Homeless Youth: Teacher Competencies and Actions - Matthias Fischer, Staatliches Seminar für Didaktik und Lehrerbildung Heidelberg

• Social Work and Education: Building Bridges to Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness - Kennesha Smith, Louisiana State University

• Toward a Framework for Supporting College Students Experiencing Homelessness - Brandy Gros, Louisiana State University