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Academic Achievement Trajectories of Homeless and Highly Mobile Students: Resilience in the Context of Chronic and Acute Risk
Author(s) -
Cutuli J. J.,
Desjardins Christopher David,
Herbers Janette E.,
Long Jeffrey D.,
Heistad David,
Chan ChiKeung,
Hinz Elizabeth,
Masten Ann S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.12013
Subject(s) - academic achievement , context (archaeology) , psychology , psychological resilience , developmental psychology , resilience (materials science) , social psychology , geography , physics , thermodynamics , archaeology
Analyses examined academic achievement data across third through eighth grades ( N = 26,474), comparing students identified as homeless or highly mobile ( HHM ) with other students in the federal free meal program ( FM ), reduced price meals ( RM ), or neither (General). Achievement was lower as a function of rising risk status (General > RM > FM > HHM ). Achievement gaps appeared stable or widened between HHM students and lower risk groups. Math and reading achievement were lower, and growth in math was slower in years of HHM identification, suggesting acute consequences of residential instability. Nonetheless, 45% of HHM students scored within or above the average range, suggesting academic resilience. Results underscore the need for research on risk and resilience processes among HHM students to address achievement disparities.