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Homelessness Comes to School
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Homelessness Comes to School

  • Joseph Murphy - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
  • Kerri Tobin - Louisiana State University, USA, Marywood University


May 2011 | 320 pages | Corwin
The seminal work on homeless students and our responsibility to educate them

School-aged children in homeless families and independent homeless youth represent the fastest-growing population of homeless individuals in the United States. This volume brings the issue to light with substantial and far-reaching research that describes the plight of these children, the legal framework surrounding the issue, and educators' roles in teaching homeless children. Homelessness Comes to School also outlines effective intervention programs and provides specific guidelines for teaching homeless students. Topics covered include:

- A history of homelessness, including its demographic patterns, causes, and impact on society

- The various programs schools have implemented to address homeless children's needs

- How schools, parents, and external community agencies can work together to educate homeless students

Evaluating the scope of the problem and developing interventions for these students at risk must be a priority for service providers and policy makers. This resource will give all involved parties a well-grounded understanding of homelessness and guidelines for working together toward a solution.

 
About the Authors
 
Part I. Portraying Homelessness
 
1. Understanding the Concept of Homelessness
 
2. A Brief History of Homelessness
 
3. Demographics of Homelessness
 
Part II. The Effects of Homelessness
 
4. Impact of Homelessness on Children and Youth
 
Part III. The Role of Society in Addressing Homelessness
 
5. Addressing Homelessness
 
Part IV. The Role of Schooling in Helping Homeless Children and Youth
 
6. The Legal Framework and Ensuring Access
 
7. Ensuring Success
 
References
 
Index

"One measure of a society is to look to those who are most helpless and see how society treats them. Murphy and Tobin offer a sobering assessment of how the United States treats one of our most vulnerable and least understood populations—homeless youth. No child wants to be homeless and the stigma attached to homelessness almost assures they will not be treated fairly, without societal protections. They are prone to social isolation, health problems, and victimization, to name but a few. Murphy and Tobin’s book patiently, dispassionately, and depressingly outlines the demographic, socio-historical, and psychological challenges homeless youth face, making it a helpful resource for those who work with at-risk youth. This book is the most comprehensive analysis of homeless youth that exists."

William G. Tierney, Professor, Director
Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, University of Southern California

"Homelessness Comes to School provides a fresh look at one of the most challenging issues facing educators worldwide: How to best support children and youth experiencing homelessness. Joe Murphy and Kerri Tobin offer a comprehensive text that all educators will find valuable in helping these students gain access to and experience success in school."

James Stronge, Heritage Professor of Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

"From handling absenteeism and expulsion to ensuring access and understanding the impact of homelessness on kids, this is a wide-ranging blend of research results and applied solutions perfect for any urban educator's library."

James A. Cox, Editor in Chief
The Midwest Book Review, August 2011

"The authors look at five general categories of homeless school-age children and consider the damaging impact of no home or no consistent home on them. They believe ending child homelessness is within reach, if it is made a priority by policy makers. Recommended."

R. Roth, Emerita
Choice Magazine, November 2011, Vol. 49, No. 03

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412980548
£36.99

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