Of all the numbers attached to the schools, from test scores to graduation rates, none is as heartbreaking as one we saw this past week — the number of homeless students.
Las Vegas Sun reporters Timothy Pratt and Emily Richmond reported that there are more than 3,500 homeless students in the Clark County School District. That is a 55 percent increase from the previous school year.
Officials blame it on the downturn in the economy and on newcomers whose visions of making it big here never materialize. Also, there is a substantial drug problem and a housing crisis that has forced people from their homes.
No one, however, really knows the reason for the big increase. All they know is that children are suffering at an alarming rate. School officials have, since January, counted nearly 400 students who are newly homeless.
The School District should be commended in its efforts to help students. District employees have been taught how to identify a student who is homeless, and school officials are trying to help those children.
Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming need. The School District spends $1.28 million in federal funding to address the problem but could still use more.
Operation School Bell, for example, has a waiting list of students in line for clothing and school supplies.
Students from low-income families may be eligible for free breakfasts and lunches, and school officials have been creative in trying to supplement those. They have sought donations of food so students have something to eat over the weekends. They also have tried to connect students and their families with government and nonprofit programs that could help.
The fact that there are so many homeless students is a tragedy. The School District is making an admirable effort to help the children, but more can be done. The government should be surveying families to figure out the reasons for their homelessness so it can then work to curb the causes. The community as well should do all it can to support efforts to help.
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