You are here

UCF Digital Collections ยป ETD Collection

The Effect of Habitat for Humanity Homeownership on Student Attendance and Standardized Test Scores in Orange County Florida School District

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2014
Abstract/Description:
The mobility of low-income students who do not have access to stable housing creates numerous challenges both at home and in school. Among these challenges, academic performance certainly is one of the most important. The lack of a more permanent, familiar, and safe environment is presumed to impact home life as well as students' performance in the classroom. This research compares two groups of current and former students of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) in Florida (1) children of families who are Habitat for Humanity (HFH) homeowners, and (2) a matched socioeconomic control group. The HFH program is designed to provide a stable, affordable housing for families who cannot acquire it through standard means. The research question is: Does stability in housing make an impact on academic performance in the particular area of FCAT scores and attendance? Data were gathered from OCPS and the HFH homeowners themselves. This data were used to evaluate the impact of HFH homeownership on students' academic environment. Results showed better attendance at school, but HFH students fared worse in FCAT performance when compared to control group especially in reading.
Title: The Effect of Habitat for Humanity Homeownership on Student Attendance and Standardized Test Scores in Orange County Florida School District.
40 views
17 downloads
Name(s): Harris, Charles, Author
Kincaid, John, Committee Chair
Uddin, Nizam, Committee Member
Rivers, Kenyatta, Committee Member
Wiegand, Rudolf, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The mobility of low-income students who do not have access to stable housing creates numerous challenges both at home and in school. Among these challenges, academic performance certainly is one of the most important. The lack of a more permanent, familiar, and safe environment is presumed to impact home life as well as students' performance in the classroom. This research compares two groups of current and former students of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) in Florida (1) children of families who are Habitat for Humanity (HFH) homeowners, and (2) a matched socioeconomic control group. The HFH program is designed to provide a stable, affordable housing for families who cannot acquire it through standard means. The research question is: Does stability in housing make an impact on academic performance in the particular area of FCAT scores and attendance? Data were gathered from OCPS and the HFH homeowners themselves. This data were used to evaluate the impact of HFH homeownership on students' academic environment. Results showed better attendance at school, but HFH students fared worse in FCAT performance when compared to control group especially in reading.
Identifier: CFE0005504 (IID), ucf:50360 (fedora)
Note(s): 2014-12-01
Ph.D.
Sciences, Dean's Office GRDST
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Habitat for Humanity -- Orange County Public School -- HFH -- OCPS -- FCAT -- Attendance -- Mobility -- Socioeconomic Status -- Standardized Test
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005504
Restrictions on Access: public 2014-12-15
Host Institution: UCF

In Collections