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The Demographic Profile of Black Homeless High School Students Residing in the District of Columbia Shelters and the Factors that Influence their Education

<p> Research indicates that families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in the country (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2011). The rise in the number of homeless families has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of homeless students (Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, 2013; Flannery, 2010). In recent years, the number of District of Columbia homeless families with children has significantly increased (The Homeless Children's Playtime Project [HCPP], 2012), and as of February 2013, more than 601 high school homeless students were enrolled in District of Columbia Public High Schools (DCAYA, 2013). Using mixed methods research, the study collected data from 95 homeless participants (16-21 years) to construct a demographic and educational profile of Black high school-aged homeless youth residing in District of Columbia homeless shelters. The study examined the factors that facilitate or impede the learning outcomes of these youth. The data analysis revealed that 31.66% of the respondents' struggle to find enough food to eat, 59.75% when faced with shelter shortages sleep in abandoned properties and city parks (34.45%), and (37.95%) sleep in city public streets (37.95%). In addition, 74.76% of the study sample "plans to keep going to school". Logistic Regression was performed and indicated that the variables (Multiethnic Identity, Ego Resiliency, and Life Orientation) are significant predictors of grade completion.</p>

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3639463
Date07 November 2014
CreatorsAbdul Rahman, Mai
PublisherHoward University
Source SetsProQuest.com
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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