Study Finds Homeless Pupils Hard Hit by School Closures, p. 6
Nationwide, there has been a push to close low-performing schools by cash-strapped school districts and those who are implementing turnaround programs such as Race to the Top. A recent study that focused on New York City schools indicated that homeless students were disproportionately affected by these school closings. Because homeless students tend to be mobile, they often get placed in schools that have the most openings, and these are often the underperforming schools. Homeless students are more likely to be at-risk students and are twice as likely to repeat a grade as students from stable homes, for example. In 26 states from 2007-2009 the percentage of homeless students has increased over 50%, which suggests that the problem will only get bigger. There has been inadequate planning for, transitioning, and monitoring of homeless students after these closures. Some homeless students have been devastated by the closures, academically and socially.
Minneapolis public schools have been trying to brace for both the increase in homeless students and the increased school closings. The school district there weighs the stability of a school when deciding where to place homeless students. The Minneapolis model is something that other districts should look at when considering how to deal with their homeless students.
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