New Policy Brief: How To Improve Academic Performance, Reduce Chronic Truancy, and Decrease Absenteeism for Students Identified as Homelessness

Posted by HopePHL on August 26, 2025

Our latest policy brief shows the positive outcomes that the Department of Education has made in supporting the 50,000+ children and youth who were identified as homeless in School Year 2024

Using resources from the American Rescue Plan, Pennsylvania improved outcomes for students identified as experiencing homelessness. Overall, the following outcomes indicate success in:

  • Improving academic performance
  • Reducing chronic truancy
  • Reducing absenteeism
  • Identified more students
  • While the number is alarming, it also means that these children were given some level of support.

HopePHL is working with the PA Homeless Youth Coalition to urge the Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to supplement its federal grant with General Fund dollars to maintain the success by the Department of Education.

Read the policy brief.


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