Identified Student Homelessness in Camden City Schools, 2021-22 & 2022-23
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| Title: | Identified Student Homelessness in Camden City Schools, 2021-22 & 2022-23 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ciani Flack-Green, Ebony Maddox, Halianny Mejia, Lissette Lopez Lopez, Cristle Ike, Zumana Noor, J. J. Cutuli, Camden City School District, Nemours Children's Health, Camden Coalition |
| Source: | Grantee Submission. 2026. |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 30 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305A240290 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive Numerical/Quantitative Data |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | School Districts, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Gender Differences, Institutional Characteristics, Enrollment, Attendance, Student Mobility, Suspension, Dropouts, High School Graduates, Student Transportation, Elementary Secondary Education, Services, Homeless People, Urban Schools, Grade Level Differences, Public Schools, Special Education, English Learners, Charter Schools |
| Geographic Terms: | New Jersey |
| Abstract: | Camden City School District (CCSD) is committed to identifying and serving students experiencing homelessness to ensure they receive a free, appropriate public education. This report provides new statistics for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years (SY). CCSD transitioned to a new homeless education liaison in SY 2022-23. We consider differences for students experiencing homelessness in educational indicators and accessing services and supports. We consider data from students enrolled in district-operated schools along with publicly available data from the NJ Department of Education. Our ultimate goal is to innovate new ways of identifying and supporting students who experience homelessness. Identified student homelessness increased markedly in SY 2022-23: (1) 7 out of every 100 students (7.04%) were identified as experiencing homelessness; (2) 4 out of 5 students experiencing homelessness were doubled-up with friends or family. About 12% were staying in a motel or hotel, and about 6% were staying in a shelter; (3) 1 out of 5 students experiencing homelessness entered CCSD from another state or country; (4) Student homelessness was higher for Hispanic/Latino students and for female students; (5) Schools varied widely in how many students they identified as experiencing homelessness; and (6) Identified homelessness was lower at charter/renaissance agencies, except Camden Prep and KIPP. Homelessness was often linked to differences in education indicators in SY 2022-23: (1) Students who experienced homelessness were absent more and had more chronic absenteeism; (2) These students were more likely to change schools during the school year; (3) Students who experienced homelessness were three times as likely to drop out; and (4) Student homelessness was associated with "lower" likelihood of being suspended (all grades), and a "higher" likelihood of graduating for 12th graders. Homelessness may interfere with receiving some supports and services in SY 2022-23: (1) Transportation services were slightly more likely among students experiencing homelessness; (2) Individualized education plans were less likely among students experiencing homelessness; (3) Multilanguage learner services were more likely among students experiencing homelessness; and (4) School-based youth services were about equally likely to be used by students experiencing homelessness in SY 2021-22 and 2022-23. Recommendations: (1) Designate school-based staff to help identify and support students experiencing homelessness, given already-high rates of student homelessness in Camden relative to the statewide rate; (2) Expand outreach to increase enrollment of students experiencing homelessness. This should include collaborating with other agencies in Camden who serve housing insecure students and families; (3) Ensure that clerks and other enrollment staff understand students' right to immediate enrollment, even without required documents. Staff should assist in obtaining missing documents after enrollment; (4) Continue to ensure that Spanish-language materials and staff are available to assist families, along with vital supports tailored to engage immigrant families through the Welcome/Solution Center; (5) Continue to work closely with transportation services to provide transportation, as required by state law; and (6) Continue to ensure that every school has posted students' and families' rights when homelessness occurs and liaison contact information in the main office, parent center, and other appropriate places. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED679431 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Camden City School District (CCSD) is committed to identifying and serving students experiencing homelessness to ensure they receive a free, appropriate public education. This report provides new statistics for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years (SY). CCSD transitioned to a new homeless education liaison in SY 2022-23. We consider differences for students experiencing homelessness in educational indicators and accessing services and supports. We consider data from students enrolled in district-operated schools along with publicly available data from the NJ Department of Education. Our ultimate goal is to innovate new ways of identifying and supporting students who experience homelessness. Identified student homelessness increased markedly in SY 2022-23: (1) 7 out of every 100 students (7.04%) were identified as experiencing homelessness; (2) 4 out of 5 students experiencing homelessness were doubled-up with friends or family. About 12% were staying in a motel or hotel, and about 6% were staying in a shelter; (3) 1 out of 5 students experiencing homelessness entered CCSD from another state or country; (4) Student homelessness was higher for Hispanic/Latino students and for female students; (5) Schools varied widely in how many students they identified as experiencing homelessness; and (6) Identified homelessness was lower at charter/renaissance agencies, except Camden Prep and KIPP. Homelessness was often linked to differences in education indicators in SY 2022-23: (1) Students who experienced homelessness were absent more and had more chronic absenteeism; (2) These students were more likely to change schools during the school year; (3) Students who experienced homelessness were three times as likely to drop out; and (4) Student homelessness was associated with "lower" likelihood of being suspended (all grades), and a "higher" likelihood of graduating for 12th graders. Homelessness may interfere with receiving some supports and services in SY 2022-23: (1) Transportation services were slightly more likely among students experiencing homelessness; (2) Individualized education plans were less likely among students experiencing homelessness; (3) Multilanguage learner services were more likely among students experiencing homelessness; and (4) School-based youth services were about equally likely to be used by students experiencing homelessness in SY 2021-22 and 2022-23. Recommendations: (1) Designate school-based staff to help identify and support students experiencing homelessness, given already-high rates of student homelessness in Camden relative to the statewide rate; (2) Expand outreach to increase enrollment of students experiencing homelessness. This should include collaborating with other agencies in Camden who serve housing insecure students and families; (3) Ensure that clerks and other enrollment staff understand students' right to immediate enrollment, even without required documents. Staff should assist in obtaining missing documents after enrollment; (4) Continue to ensure that Spanish-language materials and staff are available to assist families, along with vital supports tailored to engage immigrant families through the Welcome/Solution Center; (5) Continue to work closely with transportation services to provide transportation, as required by state law; and (6) Continue to ensure that every school has posted students' and families' rights when homelessness occurs and liaison contact information in the main office, parent center, and other appropriate places. |
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