Definition: Rate of homeless students per 10,000 student enrollment population reported in Sarasota County public schools for that school year.

Source: Council on Homelessness Report

2025 Target: 200.9 per 10,000 Students

Below is a comparison of the value for this indicator among seven coastal counties: Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. These counties have been recommended as comparable counties by Sarasota County Government.

Homeless Students Rate per 10,000 Student Population (2015-2016 School Year)

In the 2015-2016 school year, there were approximately 205 homeless students for every 10,000 students enrolled in Sarasota County schools. This rate has decreased 20%  since 2008 (254.2 per 10,000 students). The student homelessness rate peaked sharply in 2011 at 300.5 per 10,000 students. In 2016, the Sarasota County rate was lower than Florida's, with a difference of 56.6 per 10,000 students.

Several factors are related to student homelessness, including: poverty, economic shifts, housing costs, and single parent households. In Sarasota County, student homelessness can most likely be attributed to the deficit in affordable housing and lack of adequate income for the students’ families (see more: I Homelessness Rate). Student homelessness has several implications for a child’s social, academic, and emotional development. Homeless children may suffer from emotional and behavioral problems including depression, hyperactivity, and sleep disorders. This and other factors affect their academic achievement. Education, homework, and assignments are often not a priority for homeless families due to their economic struggles. Homeless students face barriers coming to school and completing school work because of the inability to find transportation to school (as the students may change shelter locations often), and a lack of space and appropriate setting for homework.

According to a report called Meeting the Educational Needs of Homeless Children, the most frequently reported educational needs of homeless students include: remediation/tutoring, school materials and clothes, support services such as counselors, transportation, educational continuity and stability, and sensitivity and awareness training for school personnel and students.