On Tuesday, The University of Minnesota released a study that shows how homelessness affects academic achievement among Minneapolis students. 

In a press release, lead researcher J.J. Cutuli said, “Past studies on this topic have been able to produce snapshots in time, but now we’re able to see that gains in math achievement among HHM [homeless and highly mobile] students slow down during periods of homelessness or high mobility.”

According to the report, homeless students produce significantly lower test scores in both math and reading, than do students with permanent residences.

An article in the Star Tribune describes how the latest study followed students for five years, from third grade through eighth grade, and revealed that homelessness has a more significant, long term impact on a student’s comprehension than was initially concluded by a previous two year study.

According to the article, “The research this week is being published in the journal Child Development and discussed at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children”.