Increase in Homelessness Strains School Aid

by Mike Smith · 2009-09-07 09:05:00 UTC
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As the new school year begin, the economic crisis continues to rear its head, straining kids' education, and forcing schools to invest in extra buses to pick up kids from motels and RV parks. The number of homeless kids is rumored to have doubled in the last two years, with figures from enrollment indicating further rises, reports the NY Times. The question of who'll pick up the bill for these costs is being asked, with temporary stimulus grants filling some of the gaps, whilst many work as liasons to the homeless, going beyond the call of duty to get supplies to kids, and ensure they can all get to school.

Meanwhile, schools districts continue to make a big show of their innovation and reform in an attempt to win Race to the Top Funds. The funds are intended to also reward teacher effectiveness; an extra challenge when kids are coming and going, caught in the turmoil of an economic crisis.

[Photo credit: wheany]

Mike Smith is associate editor at Change.org.
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