A new report by Brightlane Learning revealed that homeless students in Indiana are falling behind at alarming rates.
The report shows that 57% of homeless third graders are proficient in early literacy, a drop from 72% in 2019 and a stark contrast to the 82% for housed students. The report also found that 15% of homeless students are proficient in ILEARN English/language arts, 2.7 times lower than housed students.
The report found that children and youth experiencing homelessness are more likely than their peers to have mental and physical health issues and to have experienced trauma. Lower rates of academic performance and fewer opportunities to earn college-ready diplomas may also impact their ability to pursue post-secondary and career pathways.
Education leaders, policymakers and community advocates gathered at the Katz, Sapper & Miller Conference Center to discuss ways to close these gaps for Indiana’s nearly 19,000 homeless students.
“We have seen firsthand the impact of stress, trauma and mobility on learning,” said Sally Bindley, Brightlane Learning founder and CEO. “The recommendations in this report will drive our work until we see the progress that we know is possible. But we cannot do that work alone — assisting our students is a community responsibility.”
Following the presentation of the report, panelists discussed the need for educational support and community engagement.
Brightlane encourages schools, policymakers and community organizations to:
- Expand targeted academic support for unhoused students.
- Address equity gaps impacting student success, including attendance and discipline disparities.
- Strengthen community partnerships to provide wraparound services, including transportation and mental health services.
- Enhance data collection and evaluation to track progress and identify needs.
For more information about Brightlane, visit brightlanelearning.org.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
