Early identification of special education needs improves long-term educational and social outcomes for children and is mandated under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It has also been shown to decrease economic burdens through improving academic success and reducing the need for special education as children age.…
School absences are pervasive across New York City. Almost one in five New York City public school elementary students (19%) were chronically absent in SY 2013-14, missing 20 days or more of school. Worse, homeless elementary students were chronically absent at roughly twice the rate of elementary students overall. This report examines the disparities in absenteeism and its impact on educational achievement, comparing homeless students and their housed peers, regardless of family income level.…
Our spring issue features “It Takes McCarver to Raise a Child: The Tacoma Housing Authority’s Education-based Fight against Homelessness” and “Beyond Freedom: Survivors of Domestic Violence Learn Self-Care.” The National Perspective focuses on “The Struggles of Homeless Hispanic Families;” The Historical Perspective revisits “Fresh Air for City Kids: the Early Years of Summer Camp”; the Voices column looks closely at “Rapidly Re-Housing Homeless Families: New York City—a Case Study.”…