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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Oregon schools report jump in homeless students Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Oct. 1, 2015 at 3:17 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Oct. 1, 2015 at 3:17 PM » Social News PORTLAND — The number of Oregon students who were homeless during the past school year increased by almost 9 percent despite an improved economy. Figures released Thursday by the state Department of Education show 20,524 students were homeless at some point during the 2014-15 academic year, a jump of more than 1,600 students from the year before. It's the highest level since 2010-11, a time when the state was still crawling back from the Great Recession. "For many of our families, the economic recovery has not yet become a reality," said Dona Bolt, the Education Department's homeless specialist. "Families are still looking for work, struggling to get by, and trying to provide a sense of stability to their children." The homeless classification doesn't necessarily mean the child is sleeping in a shelter or on the streets. The tag also applies to students who lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence, such as those who live in motels or bounce between the homes of friends and relatives. Most students classified as homeless are in that type of situation. But there was a 23 percent increase in students classified as "unsheltered," meaning more than 2,000 young people lived in a vehicle, tent, or other form of substandard housing at some point last school year. Federal rules require school districts to perform an annual count of students without stable housing and hire a liaison to help them get to school and have the supplies needed to learn. The count shows most homeless students were in 12th grade, reflecting their ability to make a choice to leave. First-graders, however, were the next-largest group, followed by 2nd graders. As in previous surveys, most homeless were found in urban school districts such as Portland, Beaverton and Medford. Small rural districts such as Butte Falls, McKenzie, and Culver also have high percentages of homeless youth. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Oct. 1, 2015 at 3:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501