Measuring Preservice Teacher Knowledge and Attitudes to Support Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Abstract

AbstractWhile many teachers are unaware that students in their classes are experiencing homelessness, others may not know how to support students who are identified as lacking consistent housing (Wright et al., Citation2019). Thus, there is a critical need to better assess, understand, and enhance teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward homelessness. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is threefold—researchers sought to 1) design and test a survey to measure the knowledge and attitudes of preservice teachers working with youth experiencing homelessness; 2) measure the knowledge and attitudes of preservice teachers related to homelessness; and 3) measure the effectiveness of a virtual training program designed to enhance preservice teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward homelessness using the finalized survey. Results of the data analysis were promising—indicating that the Knowledge and Attitudes on Homelessness Survey for Educators (KAHS) instrument is a reliable tool in measuring knowledge and attitudes related to homelessness and the online training program has a positive impact on teachers’ knowledge and attitudes. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Nevada Department of Education, Nevada Institution for Teacher Educator Preparation