The number of students experiencing homelessness in Ohio is rising, according to new data. In the 2023-24 school year, over 25,500 students were reported as homeless, which is about 1.5% of the state’s total student population. This increase is concerning, but experts believe the actual number could be even higher. The numbers might not fully capture the extent of the problem, as many students who are homeless are not officially identified.
The Importance of Identifying Homeless Students
Ohio law requires every school district to have a “homeless liaison” to support students who don’t have a stable home. However, many of these liaisons have other roles as well, which can limit how much they are able to focus on identifying students in need. Some school districts do better than others at finding these students. In districts where the homeless liaison has more time and resources, more students are likely to be identified.
Amanda Wilson from the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio explains that it can be difficult for schools to identify students who are homeless. “If you ask a student directly, ‘Are you homeless?’, they might say no,” she says. “But if you look at their situation, they may be living with friends or relatives, moving from place to place.”
Prevalence of Homeless Students in Ohio Schools
The number of students facing homelessness in Ohio has been increasing steadily over the past few years. During the 2023-24 school year, more than 25,500 students were reported as homeless. However, these numbers don’t necessarily reflect the full scale of the problem. Many districts, especially smaller ones, report having fewer than 10 homeless students, but that might not be accurate due to underreporting.
Here are some of the Ohio districts with the highest percentage of homeless students in the 2023-24 school year:
- Morgan Local Schools – 9.3%
- Mt. Healthy City Schools – 9.1%
- Fayetteville-Perry Schools – 8%
- Cincinnati Public Schools – 7.6%
- New Philadelphia City Schools – 7.5%
These figures highlight how some areas, particularly urban and rural districts, are struggling more than others with homelessness among students.
Chronic Absenteeism and Its Impact on Homeless Students
Students who are homeless often face barriers to regular school attendance. In fact, homeless students in Ohio miss school at much higher rates than their peers. The chronic absenteeism rate for homeless students is 58.6%, compared to 25.6% for all Ohio students. This is a significant concern, as missing school regularly makes it harder for students to keep up with their studies.
The McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law passed in 1987, ensures that homeless students can still attend school and have access to educational services. Under this law, absences due to homelessness are excused. This allows students to avoid penalties for missing school due to issues outside their control.
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect on Homeless Students
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students officially reported as homeless dropped. However, experts believe this doesn’t mean fewer students were homeless; it likely means that schools were not able to identify or track these students properly. With schools closed for much of the 2020-21 school year, many students facing homelessness may not have been attending virtual classes or connecting with school staff regularly.
Since schools reopened, the number of identified homeless students has increased again, as efforts to track and support these students have improved. However, the rising numbers are also a sign that more families are struggling with housing instability, which is a growing concern.
Support Systems for Homeless Students
Some school districts are taking significant steps to support homeless students. For example, Cincinnati Public Schools has a program called Project Connect that helps homeless students access transportation, school supplies, and even emergency hotel stays. The district’s program also offers tutoring and counseling to address the emotional and educational needs of these students.
Rebeka Beach, who manages the program, says, “Homeless students are often in a state of constant stress. They are worried about where they will sleep and eat, and that makes it very difficult for them to focus on schoolwork.” Despite these challenges, the district has seen success in helping these students, with a graduation rate of 79% for seniors experiencing homelessness.
Rural Areas Face Unique Challenges
In rural districts, the situation can be even more difficult. Morgan Local Schools, located in a rural area, reports that many of their homeless students live in overcrowded conditions or substandard housing, such as travel trailers or converted garages. There are no homeless shelters in Morgan County, which makes it even harder to provide support for these students.
Anita Eldridge-Metz, the homeless liaison for Morgan Local Schools, says that many of the families in the district are living in difficult conditions. “We have students living in crowded homes or temporary places,” she says. “In these situations, it’s difficult to maintain regular school attendance, but we try to provide as much support as possible.”
The Need for More Support
The increase in homeless students highlights the urgent need for more support and resources. School districts must have the funding and staff to identify and assist these students. With proper support, students facing homelessness can overcome these challenges and succeed in school.
It’s crucial for schools, communities, and lawmakers to work together to ensure that homeless students have the resources they need to succeed academically and emotionally.
(source : mahoningmatters.com)
