Public education must support homeless students. Teachers must understand the challenges of teaching students with no home. Homeless students face trauma and have learning gaps. Homelessness doesn’t necessarily mean a student is living on the street. It also means a student shares a home with others or lives with a caregiver. The student lacks a fixed or regular residence. They may live in a car, motel, shelter, or a place where they must continuously move around.
Homeless and Public Education
Recognizing a homeless student is not easy. Common signs are falling asleep at their desk, a lack of transportation to school, late arrival, and/or often being absent or having incomplete assignments. They tend to lose school supplies. Many homeless students also lack proper nourishment. Schools that serve free breakfasts may be the most stable part of a student’s life. Teachers with homeless students must be sensitive toward them. Many school districts partner with agencies that support homelessness.
Characteristics of Homeless Students
A student’s records may consist of several schools because they tend to be mobile. Thus, students lack academic and medical records. They show learning gaps in their academics. Extracurricular activities, fieldtrips, and projects that require help from home are not an option.
Students wear the same clothes and have poor hygiene. There may also be a lack of social relationships. Students don’t want to bond with peers for fear of moving away and losing friendships. They display shyness in the classroom and may be anxious when the day concludes.
How to Help in the Classroom
The school counselor and the school nurse have contacts that support students.
- Students without a permanent home need support.
- Build trust and bond with students. Find the student’s talents and recognize accomplishments.
- Pair the student with a reliable partner.
- Do not ask questions or have projects that pertain to the home environment. This may embarrass the student.
- Be aware of discussing families and never use the word “homeless”.
- Permit personal objects. These are security measures for the homeless student.
- Treats and snacks need to be available for students.
- Devise a communication plan to keep in touch with the parent/guardian.
To recognize and support the needs of homelessness, educators must understand the policies of the school district and the laws. Locate resources and services available to families and students. Consider approaches that support students with trauma. These approaches are linked to improving the outcomes for all students. Schools must be sensitive to the real world in which students live. Labeling students is not the answer; helping them deal with problems is the answer.
