Educational attainment among young adults experiencing homelessness in seven cities across the United States

Abstract

• Young adults experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted by low levels of educational attainment. • Limited research has explored educational attainment among young people experiencing homelessness. • School-based interventions including a positive school climate is related to higher academic achievement. • Educational institutions provide more than education- they are sources of stability, social support, and connection. Although young adults experiencing homelessness (YEH) are at particular risk for lower educational attainment compared to their housed peers, limited research has explored the demographic and psychological factors associated with earning key educational milestones among YEH. This study aims to answer the following research questions: What levels of educational attainment are reported among YEH? What factors are associated with earning key educational milestones? A better understanding of the asso3ciated risk factors may inform future educational interventions for YEH by ameliorating the barriers which have limited their educational success. This study uses the Homeless Youth Risk and Resilience Survey (HYRRS) dataset, a seven-city sample of 1,426 YEH (aged 18–26) surveyed between June 2016 to July 2017 to study risk factors associated with educational attainment. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess correlates of earning less than a GED. Foster care involvement, juvenile justice system involvement, CAGE score, and earlier-onset housing instability was associated with lower educational attainment (operationalized as earning less than a GED). Findings indicate that interventions supporting YEH in educational systems must be multifaceted, addressing the myriad factors correlated with educational attainment.