FORT WAYNE, Ind.
(AP) — Indiana saw an 81 percent increase in the number of homeless
students from 2008 to 2013, according to data from the Indiana Department
of Education included in a report released Monday by the nonprofit Indiana
Youth Institute.
The data show
that the state had more than 16,200 homeless students during the 2013-2014
school year, up from nearly 9,000 during the 2008-2009 school year. The
numbers cover students attending public schools and are the most recent
available.
"Anytime you see
an increase like that, there's certainly cause for concern to hope that as
many of those students as possible are getting the services they need to
try to enhance their educational outcomes," said Glenn Augustine, interim
CEO of the institute, told The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette.
Homeless students
are defined as young people who lack a fixed, regular and adequate
residence to sleep in at night. That could include students living in
motels, parks, vehicles or public places or are awaiting foster care
placement.
Statewide, the
data show 82 counties had more homeless students, eight had fewer homeless
students and two counties' numbers were unchanged. Data include students
from preschool through 12th grade.
Jennings County
had the highest rate statewide with 84 homeless per 1,000 students. Warren
County reported no homeless students.
At Fort Wayne
Community Schools the district has a homeless liaison coordinator who
makes sure students receive free meals and textbooks among other services.