Homeless children and their education-literature review

Sarah High

Mrs. Thomas

SEGL 102

20 March, 2013

Ensuring Educational Success for Children Who Have No Home to Call Their Own

            Throughout American History one can see the many economic shifts which have affected every citizen in our country.  During this there has been one challenging phenomenon that has continued to exist.  Although the characteristics have varied, homeless persons have walked the streets and struggled to survive since the birth of America.  In the book Homelessness Comes to School, by Joseph Murphy and Kerri Tobin, J Karabanow is quoted “While homelessness has worn assorted masks at different times, it has been a steady facet of North American culture with a very long history.”  From beggars and merchants on the street corner to families in their cars and shelters, one can clearly see how homelessness has not improved, only transformed over time.

            Looking at the homeless in today’s era, several factors such as a job loss and financial hardship, eviction, physical abuse, and natural disasters, which include fires may leave an estimated  2.5 to 3.5 million people yearly living without a permanent residence (Murphy and Tobin, pg. 47).  Out of these individuals, the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates 30% are families with children.  According to the article “Students without Homes” this leaves between 1.4 and 1.5 million children to be considered homeless. These heartbreaking numbers are not taken with ease because according to Peter Miller, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth reported 70% of schools in the country had a substantial increase in homeless students from 2008 to present.      

              Because of not only losing every possession that is dear to them, but also their sense of security, children have to face the harsh realities becoming homeless brings.  The young may experience severe and permanent bearings which undoubtedly affect their educational outcome.  Because these children are at risk for moving often, they are faced with losing connections to classmates and missing important material being taught.  In addition they may also have a difficult time concentrating in class because of their focus being directed towards the anxieties caused from their lack of home life, hunger, and hygiene (Murphy and Tobin, pg. 140).  Because the numbers of children who face these difficult hardships are on the rise, school officials are working closely with the children and their parents to search for the perfect solution which will ensure homeless children to have an equal opportunity in their education.