Schools may be underestimating how many kids are homeless, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education. The report found that the number of homeless students enrolled in public schools increased by 15% between 2015 and 2017, reaching a total of 1.3 million students. However, the report also found that the number of homeless students identified by schools was only about half of the number estimated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

There are a number of reasons why schools may be underestimating the number of homeless students. One reason is that homeless students may be reluctant to identify themselves as such. They may fear being stigmatized or discriminated against, or they may simply not know that they qualify as homeless. Another reason is that schools may not be using effective methods to identify homeless students. For example, schools may only ask students about their housing status during enrollment, which means that students who become homeless after the school year starts may not be identified.

The underestimation of homeless students has a number of consequences. One consequence is that homeless students may not receive the services they need. Homeless students are more likely to experience academic difficulties, health problems, and mental health problems than their housed peers. They are also more likely to drop out of school. If schools are not accurately identifying homeless students, they cannot ensure that these students receive the services they need to succeed.

Another consequence of underestimating homeless students is that it can lead to inaccurate data on the prevalence of homelessness among children and youth. This data is used to make decisions about funding for homeless services, so if the data is inaccurate, it can result in homeless children and youth not getting the resources they need.

There are a number of things that schools can do to improve their identification of homeless students. One thing is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable talking about their housing situation. Another thing is to train staff on how to identify homeless students and to provide them with resources to help homeless students. Finally, schools can work with community partners, such as homeless shelters and youth service agencies, to identify homeless students and connect them with services.

By taking these steps, schools can help to ensure that all homeless students have the opportunity to succeed.