Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Living and Learning at the Intersection: Student Homelessness and Complex Policy Environments

  • Published:
The Urban Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In urban districts, homeless and highly mobile students are an important contributor to achievement disparities—and their numbers are rising. To date there has been little inquiry into how broader education and housing policies shape the schooling experiences of homeless and highly mobile families. Using semi-structured interviews with 132 key community stakeholders (parents, school social workers, other school staff, and community/service personnel) in one urban area, this study explored how families living at the policy intersection of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and federal rehousing policies, such as the HEARTH Act, experience the schooling process. These policies have important impacts on students; the McKinney-Vento Act provides them with a range of supports while recent federal policies such as the HEARTH Act are shifting where and how they are living. Taking a policy perspective and drawing insights from Lin’s network theory of social capital, the findings suggest that these policies both independently and concomitantly shape families’ life opportunities. Implications for schools, communities, and scholars are addressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. For confidentiality reasons, all proper names and other identifiers have been changed.

References

  • Anooshian, L. J. (2000). Moving to educational success: Building positive relationships for homeless children. In J. H. Stronge & E. Reed-Victor (Eds.), Educating homeless students (pp. 79–98). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anooshian, L. J. (2003). Social isolation and rejection of homeless children. Journal of Children & Poverty, 9(2), 115–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassuk, E. L., & Geller, S. (2006). The role of housing and services in ending family homelessness. Housing Policy Debate, 17(4), 781–806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1985). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). New York, NY: Greenwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryman, A. (2004). Social research methods (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckner, J. C. (2008). Understanding the impact of homelessness on children: Challenges and future research directions. American Behavioral Scientist, 51(6), 721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckner, J. C., Bassuk, E. L., & Weinreb, L. F. (2001). Predictors of academic achievement among homeless and low-income housed children. Journal of School Psychology, 39(1), 45–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burkham, D. T., Lee, V. E., & Dwyer, J. (2009, June). School mobility in the early elementary grades: Frequency and impact from nationally-representative data. Commissioned by the National Research Council and presented at a workshop on the Impact of Mobility and Change on the Lives of Young Children, Schools, and Neighborhoods, Washington, DC.

  • Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Croninger, R. G., & Lee, V. E. (2001). Social capital and dropping out of high school: Benefits to at-risk students of teacher support and guidance. Teacher College Record, 103(4), 548–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culhane, D. P. (2008). The costs of homelessness: A perspective from the United States. European Journal of Homelessness, 2(1), 97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Culhane, D. P. (2011). Book review: How to house the homeless. [Review of How to House the Homeless]. Social Service Review, 85(2), 310–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., & Byrne, T. (2010). A prevention-centered approach to homelessness assistance: A paradigm shift? Manuscript.

  • Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., Schretzman, M., & Valente, J. (2007). Testing a typology of family homelessness based on patterns of public shelter utilization in four U.S. jurisdictions: Implications for policy and program planning. Housing Policy Debate, 18(1), 1–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutuli, J. J., Long, J. D., Chan, C., Desjardins, C. D., Herbers, J. E., Heistad, D., et al. (2013). Academic achievement trajectories of homeless and highly mobile students: Resilience in the context of chronic and acute risk. Child Development, 84(3), 841–857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Jong, I. (2012, May 15). Back to basics-what exactly is Housing First and Rapid Re-housing? [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.orgcode.com/2012/05/15/back-to-basics-what-exactly-is-housing-first-rapid-re-housing/.

  • Deluca, S., & Rosenblatt, P. (2010). Does moving to better neighborhoods lead to better schooling opportunities? Parental school choice in an experimental housing voucher program. Teachers College Record, 112(5), 1443–1491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engec, N. (2006). Relationship between mobility and student performance and behavior. Journal of Educational Research, 99(3), 167–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fakhoury, W. K. H., Murray, A., Shepherd, G., & Priebe, S. (2002). Research in supported housing. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 37, 301–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, R. D. (2003). Relational networks, social trust, and norms: A social capital perspective on students’ chances of academic success. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 25(1), 59–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grasser, T. (2005). Title V of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act: Local communities often blinded by the right. Washington University Law Quarterly, 83, 1905–1925.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groton, D., Teasley, M. L., & Canfield, J. P. (2013). Working with homeless school-aged children: Barriers to school social work practice. School Social Work Journal, 37(2), 37–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulcur, L., Stefancic, A., Shinn, M., Tsemberis, S., & Fischer, S. N. (2003). Housing, hospitalization, and cost outcomes for homeless individuals with psychiatric disabilities participating in Continuum of Care and Housing First programmes. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 13, 171–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness. (2011). The beginning of the end of transitional housing? Retrieved from http://www.icphusa.org/pdf/reports/icph_transitionalhousing.pdf.

  • Isernhagen, J. C., & Bulkin, N. (2011). The impact of mobility on student performance and teacher practice. The Journal of At-Risk Issues, 16(1), 17–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, B. W., & Lopez, P. D. (2003). Transporting homeless students to increase stability: A case study of two Texas districts. Journal of Negro Education, 72(1), 126–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jozefowicz-Simbeni, D. M. H., & Israel, N. (2006). Services to homeless students and families: The McKinney-Vento Act and its implications for school social work practice. Children and Schools, 28(1), 37–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julianelle, P. F. (2002). The McKinney-Vento Act: Promoting student achievement through educational stability. Children’s Legal Rights Journal, 22(1), 11–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, C. A. (2008). School absenteeism and school refusal behavior in youth: A contemporary review. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 451–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, A. C. (2007). Homelessness, violence exposure, and school participation among urban adolescent mothers. Journal of Community Psychology, 35(5), 639–654.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerbow, D., Azcoitia, C., & Buell, B. (2003). Student mobility and local school improvement in Chicago. Journal of Negro Education, 72(1), 158–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kertesz, S. G., Crouch, K., Milby, J., Cusimano, R. A., & Schumacher, J. (2009). Housing first for homeless persons with active addiction: Are we overreaching? Milbank Quarterly, 87(2), 495–534.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, A. M., & Meehan, D. M. (2011). Homeless and highly mobile students: A population-level description of the status of homeless students from three school districts. Journal of Children and Poverty, 17(2), 187–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, A. E. (2003). Race in the schoolyard: Negotiating the color line in classrooms and communities. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (1999). Building a network theory of social capital. Connections, 22, 28–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (2000). Inequality in social capital. Contemporary Sociology, 29, 785–795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2011). Resilience in children threatened by extreme adversity: Frameworks for research, practice, and translational synergy. Development and Psychopathology, 23, 493–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2012). Risk and resilience in the educational success of homeless and highly mobile children: Introduction to the special section. Educational Researcher, 41(9), 363–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., Sesma, A., Jr., Si-Asar, R., Lawrence, C., Miliotis, D., & Dionne, J. A. (1997). Educational risks for children experiencing homelessness. Journal of School Psychology, 35(1), 27–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Pub. L. No. 100-77.

  • Mehana, M., & Reynolds, A. J. (2004). School mobility and achievement: A meta-analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 26(1), 93–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metraux, S., & Culhane, D. P. (1999). Family dynamics, housing, and recurring homelessness among women in New York City homeless shelters. Journal of Family Issues, 20(3), 371–396.

  • Miller, P. M. (2009). Leadership practice in service of homeless students: An examination of community perceptions. Urban Review, 41, 222–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P. M. (2011a). A critical analysis of the research on student homelessness. Review of Educational Research, 81(3), 308–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P. M. (2011b). An examination of the McKinney-Vento Act and its influence on the homeless education situation. Educational Policy, 25(3), 424–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P. M. (2011c). Homeless education and social capital: An examination of school and community leaders. Teachers College Record, 113(5), 1067–1104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P. M. (2011d). Homeless Families’ Education Networks: An Examination of Access and Mobilization. Educational Administration Quarterly, 47(4), 543–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P. M. (2012a). Educating (more and more) students experiencing homelessness: An analysis of recession-era policy and practice. Educational Policy. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/0895904812440500.

  • Miller, P. M. (2012b). Families’ experiences in different homeless and highly mobile settings: Implications for school and community practice. Education and Urban Society.

  • Murphy, J., & Tobin, K. (2011). Homelessness comes to school. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Alliance to End Homelessness [NAEH]. (2009), June. Summary of the HEARTH Act. Retrieved May 20, 2012, from http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/general/detail/2098.

  • National Center for Homeless Education [NCHE]. (2008). The McKinney-Vento Act at a glance. [Brochure]. http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/reauthorization.pdf.

  • National Center for Homeless Education [NCHE]. (2011). Education for homeless children and youths program data collection summary. www.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_data.php.

  • National Center for Homeless Education [NCHE]. (2013). Education for homeless children and youths program data collection summary. http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/data-comp-0910-1112.pdf.

  • National Coalition for the Homeless [NCH]. (2006). McKinney-Vento Act. NCH Fact Sheet #18. http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/McKinney.pdf.

  • Noblit, G. W., & Pink, W. T. (2007). Urban education in the globalizing world. In W. T. Pink & G. W. Noblit (Eds.), International handbook of urban education (pp. xv–xxxvi). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • NVivo (Version 10). [Computer software]. Burlington, MA: QSR International.

  • Obradović, J., Long, J. D., Cutuli, J., Chan, C. K., Hinz, E., Heistad, D., et al. (2009). Academic achievement of homeless and highly mobile children in an urban school district: Longitudinal evidence on risk, growth, and resilience. Development and Psychopathology, 21(02), 493–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Padgett, D. K., Gulcr, L., & Tsemberis, S. (2006). Housing first services for people who are homeless with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance abuse. Research on Social Work Practice, 16(1), 74–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlakis, A. E., & Miller, P. M. (2013). Policy intersections in “real lives”: Families experiencing homelessness and school-related matters. In C. Wilson & S. Horsford (Eds.), Advancing equity in America’s diverse schools: Inclusive theories, policies, and practices (pp. 171–184). New York, NY: Routledge Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6(1), 65–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rafferty, Y., Shinn, M., & Weitzman, B. C. (2004). Academic achievement among formerly homeless adolescents and their continuously housed peers. Journal of School Psychology, 42(3), 179–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, A. J., Chen, C., & Dwyer, J. (2009, June). School mobility and educational success: A research synthesis and evidence on prevention. Presented at a workshop on the Impact of Mobility and Change on the Lives of Young Children, Schools, and Neighborhoods, Washington, DC.

  • Ridgway, P., & Zipple, A. M. (1990). The paradigm shift in residential services: From the linear continuum to supported housing approaches. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 13, 20–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutkin, G. (2003, July 3). Updated USDOE responses to McKinney-Vento requirements [Online email excerpt]. http://www.cde.state.co.us/DropoutPrevention/download/pdf/Transportation_Foster_Preschool.pdf.

  • Stanton-Salazar, R. D. (1997). A social capital framework for understanding the socialization of racial minority children and youths. Harvard Educational Review, 67(1), 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton-Salazar, R. D. (2001). Manufacturing home and despair: The school and kin support networks of US-Mexican youth. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefancic, A., & Tsemberis, S. (2007). Housing First for long-term shelter dwellers with psychiatric disabilities in a surburban county: A four-year study of housing access and retention. Journal of Primary Prevention, 28(3–4), 265–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stronge, J. H. (1993). Emerging service delivery models for educating homeless children and youth: Implications for policy and practice. Educational Policy, 7, 447–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanabe, C. S., & Mobley, I. H. (2011). The forgotten students: The implications of federal homeless education policy for children in Hawaii. BYU Education & Law Journal, 51, 51–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, H.R. 1, Pub. L. No. 107-110, Title X, Part C.

  • Tierney, W. G., Gupton, J. T., & Hallet, R. E. (2008). Transitions to adulthood for homeless adolescents: Education and public policy. Los Angeles, CA: University of Southern California, Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsemberis, S. (2010). Housing First: Ending homelessness, promoting recovery, and reducing costs. In I. G. Ellen & B. O’Flaherty (Eds.), How to house the homeless (pp. 37–55). New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsemberis, S., Gulcur, L., & Nakae, M. (2004). Housing first, consumer choice, and harm reduction for homeless individuals with a dual diagnosis. American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 651–656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, P. D. (2000). Enhancing collaboration on behalf of homeless students: Strategies for local and state educational agencies. In J. H. Stronge & E. Reed-Victor (Eds.), Educating homeless students (pp. 225–245). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Interagency Council on Homelessness [USICH]. (2010). Opening doors: Federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. Washington, DC: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. (2002). Evaluations of continuums of care for homeless people: Final report (Burt, M. R., Pollack, D., Sosland, A., Mikelson, K. S., Drapa, E., Greenwalt, K., Sharkey, P., Graham, A., Abravanel, M., & Smith, R). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. (2009). Chronic homelessness. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from http://hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/chronic.cfm.

  • Waegemakers Schiff, J., & Rook, J. (2012). Housing first: Where is the evidence? Toronto: Homeless Hub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, J. H., Elliot, L. T., Reed, S., Ross, W., McGuirk, P., Tallarita, L., & Chouinard, K. (2009). McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act subtitle B—Education for homeless children and youth program: Turning good law into effective education (2008 Update). Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law & Policy, XVI(1), 53–115.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 259 Education Building (Building #0400), 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI, 53706-1326, USA

    Alexandra E. Pavlakis

Authors
  1. Alexandra E. Pavlakis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandra E. Pavlakis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pavlakis, A.E. Living and Learning at the Intersection: Student Homelessness and Complex Policy Environments. Urban Rev 46, 445–475 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-014-0287-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-014-0287-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation