Homeless Numbers Fall At School District

The number of homeless students in the Crawford County R-1 School has fallen 34 percent from last year.

According to the 2024-25 Homeless, Migrant and ELL (English Language Learners) report, there were a total of 31 homeless students enrolled in the district throughout the year.

The district tallied 47 homeless students in the 2023-24 school year and 40 during the 2022-23 year.

Fifteen of the students this year are at the elementary school. Two have withdrawn.

Seven are at the middle school and one withdrew.

Nine are at the high school. There has been one early graduate and one student has withdrawn.

Under federal law, “homeless children and youth” are defined as individuals who do not have a fixed, regular and adequate place to sleep at night. This includes a wide range of living situations that fall short of stable housing.

Some may sleep in places not meant for people to live in, such as cars, parks, bus or train stations, public buildings, or other unsafe and unstable settings.

The law also covers migratory children who are living in any of these conditions.

“When families complete enrollment or back to school paperwork, the Homeless/Migrant & ELL form are part of the enrollment,” according to the report. “Secretaries and counselors are also very diligent about identifying students they may have concerns about and contact is made with the students or the parents and forms are completed. “

The district “wants to ensure students are safe and are receiving the same opportunities as all students.”

Teachers play an important role in helping identify students who may be homeless or unaccompanied youth, the district says. 

Students who are identified as homeless are able to receive support with college and other expenses in furthering their education.

Crawford County R-1 reported just one ELL student this year.

The district says it is still in need of “more local resources for students and families experiencing homelessness.” 

“As a district, we will continue to identify and assist students who are homeless, migrant, and English language learners. The district will provide support for students and families through resources, school supplies, food, clothing, or other needs.”