Student Supports

Child Trends published this brief to help state policymakers and educators develop supportive learning environments that meet the needs of students with a history of traumatic experiences and ensure that all students succeed in school. The authors define a supportive learning environment as a school that provides a safe and positive school culture and climate and attends to the physical, mental, social, emotional, and academic needs of all students. (author abstract modified)

This guide provides information on how school counseling personnel can support students who are experiencing homelessness. It includes a list of questions to assess their immediate needs related to safety, food, health, family dynamics, transportation, employment, and school. In addition, the guide provides school counselors with action steps they can take based on the outcome of the initial assessment. A checklist for graduation planning is also included. The author discusses issues such as trauma and other barriers that school counselors should consider when working with this student population.

This brief from the National Center for Homeless Education provides an overview of the issue of chronic absenteeism, including common causes and incidence and prevalence data, and how this issue affects school and student performance. It provides suggestions for educators to address chronic absenteeism among students experiencing homelessness. Additional resources are provided.

This guide from the U.S. Department of Education provides information about how to apply to college specifically for students who are dealing with homelessness. It includes financial aid resources and other support services available to promote success in school. To help with the selection process, the guide prompts young people to ask questions about academics, tuition, housing, and other considerations to determine the best postsecondary education option for them.

This executive summary provides key findings from a study released by America’s Promise Alliance, a leader of the GradNation campaign, that looked at the high school graduation rates of homeless students. This study coincided with the first Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for states and local school districts to report this data. The study examined the broader issue of student homelessness by interviewing and surveying current and formerly homeless students and the federally mandated state coordinators and local liaisons assigned to work with them. In addition to providing an overview of existing research on student homelessness, this study sheds light on the challenges homeless students face and the supports they need to succeed. The researchers provide recommendations for how educators, policymakers, and community organizations can help students cope with homelessness, graduate from high school, and get on a path to adult success.

America’s Promise Alliance, a leader of the GradNation campaign, released this research report about the high school graduation rates of homeless students. The study coincided with the first Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for states and local school districts to report this data. It provides an overview of existing research on homeless students, reveals challenges homeless students face and the supports they say they need to succeed, reports on challenges involved in helping homeless students, and recommends policy and practice changes at the school, community, state, and national levels. The research team examined the broader issue of student homelessness by interviewing and surveying current and formerly homeless students and the federally mandated state coordinators and local liaisons assigned to work with them. The researchers recommend action steps and policies for educators, policymakers, and community organizations to help students cope with homelessness, graduate from high school, and get on a path to adult success. The appendices include research methodology and endnotes, a glossary of frequently used terms, and additional information about ESSA.

This journal article recounts the efforts of faculty and library staff at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee to address the needs of students experiencing housing and food insecurity. They compiled information about campus and community resources via a LibGuide and trained colleagues about the guide and best practices for helping this student population. In addition, they now offer hygiene kits for students, serve as a depot for farmers market surplus, and manage a permanent food pantry. They have also screened the film Paper Tigers to raise awareness during Homelessness Awareness Week. (author abstract modified)

This report from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice (Hope Center) describes the results of the #RealCollege survey administered to nearly 86,000 students at 123 two- and four-year institutions. The survey shows rates of basic needs insecurity are higher for students attending two-year colleges, former foster youth, military, and formerly convicted of a crime. The researchers found that being employed and receiving federal student aid do not lower the risk of basic needs insecurity for students. They conclude that basic needs insecurity is a substantial problem that requires a systemic response. The report outlines five action steps for administrators, faculty, staff, and students to support basic needs on campus. (author abstract modified)