The Benefits of Homeschooling for Disadvantaged Youth

For the estimated 41,000 youth who experience homelessness on any given night, education is something of a paradox. For many, school offers stability and safety that they may not have otherwise. What’s more, education is one of the most important means through which individuals can break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

 

At the same time, however, being homeless can make attending and succeeding in school tremendously difficult for students.  Failing to graduate from high school, in turn, may lower their chances of being able to get a job and achieve financial stability, which could result in their remaining homeless. 

 

The interrelated issues of education and homelessness are complex ones, and will require creative solutions in order to give disadvantaged youth the means and opportunities for success that they deserve. One such potential solution is alternative diploma homeschool programs, such as the Tiers Free Academy program offered by the Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation. Here, we’ll review some of the biggest barriers to education faced by homeless students, as well as the benefits of homeschooling for disadvantaged youth. 

Barriers to Education

Homeless youth face a variety of barriers to education that their peers don’t, both in terms of their ability to access education and their ability to succeed in school. For example, homeless youth are often forced to move around and switch schools frequently, with the result that they may fall behind in their schoolwork. Not having access to documentation such as medical records and previous transcripts may also impede homeless students’ ability to enroll in new schools after a move.

 

Lack of transportation due to housing instability may also prevent students from getting to school. Even if they are able to get to school, homeless students may be less likely to have access to basic necessities like food, medical care, and school supplies, all of which can make it challenging for them to keep up in school. 

 

Students who don’t have a parent or guardian are at an added disadvantage. These students often don’t have anyone to advocate for their educational interests or guide them through the process of enrolling in school, and they lack the emotional and logistical support that parents typically provide. 

Homeschool Programs for Disadvantaged Youth

Homeschooling has long been lauded by supporters as a mode of education that has been linked with benefits such as higher academic performance, more opportunities for flexibility and personalization in the learning process, and lower risk of social distractions such as bullying and peer pressure. For non-traditional learners such as homeless youth, high school dropouts, and sex trafficking survivors, homeschooling offers even more postive outcomes. These include: 

 

• No Starting Over. It’s not uncommon for homeless students to be required to repeat a grade as a result of disruptions in their education (such as being forced to switch schools mid-year)—even if they’ve already learned part of the curriculum. This can be frustrating for students, who are then required to re-learn material they’ve already studied. Utilizing a homeschool curriculum means that even if students have to take a break from their studies, they can pick up where they left off rather than having to start over.
• Flexible, Self-paced Learning. Some homeless or impoverished youth may have jobs or other conflicts that prevent them from attending school during the day. For these students, the ability to complete their education on a schedule and time frame that works for them is the difference between success and failure.
• No Social Stigma. Sadly, many homeless youth experience bullying at above-average rates compared to their peers. In fact, one report indicated that homeless high school students were bullied at nearly twice the rate of housed students. This, in turn, can have a substantial negative impact on students’ mental health and make it even more difficult for them to succeed academically. In a homeschooling context, bullying is no longer part of the equation.
• No Logistical Barriers. Students who are homeschooled do not have to worry about obtaining documentation or requesting transportation. 

 

The key to making education accessible to homeless youth is to provide educational opportunities that meet students where they are. Homeschooling allows disadvantaged youth to circumvent many of the barriers that they might normally face in a traditional education setting. 

 

The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation is dedicated to improving our community by enhancing education opportunities, promoting synchrony between law enforcement and constituents, and encouraging community engagement. Our programs and initiatives include the Southwest GA Community Policing Resource Center and the Tiers Free Academy, a homeschool cooperative for students in grades 9-12 that provides an alternative diploma program for homeless LGBTQ youth, sex trafficking survivors, and high school dropouts. To learn more about our offerings or support our work, consider subscribing to our newsletter or donating today!