National Trends and School Characteristics Associated With Disparities in Homeless Students With Disabilities in the United States

• In Event: Intersectionality Within the Field of Inclusive and Special Education

Abstract

Students with disabilities constitute the largest and fastest-growing subgroup among homeless students in public schools, accounting for 20.3% of all homeless students in the 2020-21 school year. Despite recognition of their unique marginalization, it is unclear how the representation of this population has changed within public schools. This study examined: 1) national trends in homeless students with disabilities; and 2) socio-cultural-spatial characteristics of schools associated with the number of homeless students with disabilities using all available annual homeless student enrollment data collected from 2012 to 2020. Employing descriptive analysis and a two-level negative binomial regression model, it offers the first national cross-sectional insights into the trends and intersectional marginalization of homeless students with disabilities within the public education system.

Author

• Yehyang Lee, Syracuse University