Housing and Education: The Inextricable Link

Housing- Schools- Nexus 

Housing- Schools- Nexus is a concept that explains the reciprocal relationship between residential segregation and education quality. Access to reputable schools is subject to demographic behavior towards purchasing homes based on affordability and proximity to quality institutions, leaving the marginalized in poor neighborhoods and poor schools. Indeed, McKoy and Vincent assert that 60% of blacks and Latinos attend high poverty schools compared to 18% of whites (129). For instance, when white families buy houses in predominantly white neighborhoods with an intent to take kids to the best schools, they create a notion of bad vs. good residential areas resulting in struggling schools with limited resources. Such is attributed to the fact that for the middle and higher-income earners, schools are a major determining factor for places to live and, affordability offers an alternative (McKoy & Vincent, 128). Contrary, for the underprivileged families whose finances cannot afford them decent residential places, they are forced to attend high-poverty schools based on availability but not quality. 

Average Daily Attendance (ADA) 

As students’ mean number present daily per given period, ADA is subject to student mobility. Students from low-income families face attendance hindrances as parents shift residential areas to seek better or cheaper housing units. When home prices and rent increase, the disadvantaged are forced to move more frequently (McKoy & Vincent, 132). Students, mostly from public schools, miss certain school days with such stressors, which affects their test scores. Contrary, for homeowners, students have learning sustainability since they do not have to shift or miss school days in the process. Nonetheless, such a privilege is mostly for whites, with a 71% homeownership compared to 45% for Hispanics and blacks (McKoy & Vincent, 134). Ideally, since housing pricing can drive families to homelessness, it puts students at academic risk and cognitive development delay. Still, since parents have to work extra time to raise enough money for rent, it leaves limited time to help children with homework, affecting performance. 

Reference 

McKoy L. D., & Vincent, M. J. Housing And Education: The Inextricable Link .