Student Enrollment in the Pandemic

60 Minutes recently ran a story that followed Laura Tucker, a McKinney-Vento liaison, as she tried to track down the more than 7,000 students in Hillsborough County, Florida, who did not return to school this Fall. There are students who have fallen through the cracks - like Kiara, who is unstably housed and could only use her phone to complete assignments. This issue is not limited to Florida. According to SchoolHouse Connection and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, compared to last year, 420,000 fewer young people experiencing homelessness have been identified and enrolled in schools during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Liaisons are doing the best they can, but there are needs not being met across the board hindering young people from receiving an education during this time. To read SchoolHouse Connection’s report, which includes recommendations for Congress, state and local agencies, relief agencies, and philanthropy, click here.