4 ms·

I tach at a community college and this topic comes up periodically. The definition used for being homeless is not what people generally think of when they hear

I tach at a community college and this topic comes up periodically. The definition used for being homeless is not what people generally think of when they hear this term. What is surprising to me is that I'm expected to teach a homeless person in such a way that they pass the class and know the material. When a homeless person fails my stats suffer. It is not reasonable that a person whose life is in chaos be able to pass their classes and understand what has been taught.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
framebit 9y ago
I wish I could find this again, but I saw a similar thought somewhere out there about teaching elementary school kids with terrible home lives in rough areas. The sentiment was something along the lines of, "How am I supposed to teach them fractions when they're getting raped at home."
- moretai 9y ago
  raped at home
- Mz 9y ago
  Some people are homeless in order to get away from the people beating or raping them at home. For such individuals, couch surfing or whatever can be a step up over what they have been dealing with.
projectramo 9y ago
Can you explain which definition they use. I can't find any difference between the term as it is used in the article and the ordinary sense of the term.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- yequalsx 9y ago
  If you are living with a friend but aren't part of the lease and can, theoretically, be kicked out at any time you are homeless. The key factor being uncertainty in living situation.
  - logfromblammo 9y ago
    For most people, "home", "residence", "address", and "domicile" all mean the same thing. But when you stray into multiple residency or homelessness, those definitions drift apart. Different definitions of homelessness may focus on different words that are not strictly synonymous, which makes those definitions also drift apart. In a strict technical sense, you can't be without a domicile, but it may be difficult to do things like vote or pay taxes or get licenses for your domicile when you are outside it and without at least a semi-permanent mailing address. But you can be without a permanent residence, even if you have been sleeping in the same spot for a while. That occurs whenever you don't have the legal right to be there. If your name (or your custodial parent's name or legal guardian's name) is not on the lease, that address is not your permanent residence, even if it is a long-term roof over your head. But then some people define homeless as having no literal building in which to shelter. Living in a tent or vehicle on property that you own may meet this definition, yet still qualify as having a residence. Some definitions go so far as to measure one's intent for sleeping that night. If you have no idea whatsoever where you will lay your weary head tonight when exhaustion takes you, you are so thoroughly homeless that you might as well be referred to as "homeleast". That's why these surveys have to ask so many questions--to identify those with shelter situations of most and least concern.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
vkou 9y ago
It's not reasonable that a person's life be thrown into chaos through circumstances that may be outside of their control, but life isn't fair.
tsumnia 9y ago
> What is surprising to me is that I'm expected to teach a homeless person in such a way that they pass the class and know the material. I recently left teaching CC to pursue a PhD, one thing I will say is don't let CC become "No Child Left Behind". Let your stats suffer and fight administration when they ask why. I've had co-workers that just handed students a Cengage textbook and surfed the internet all day, and these were SENIOR MEMBERS of the department. As much as I hate the stereotype, this is government work - you need to do A LOT to get fired. Hell, actually trying to teach might label you a "hard worker". As I mentioned in another comment, my solution was to rethink how I taught. I had a 2 hour lecture and a 3 hour lab each week. So, class 1 was pure lecture and class 2 was just giving them time to work on homework (I wouldn't classify what I did as flipped, but sort of). Assume outside class time they CANNOT (no will not) do the work. In that mindset, how do you provide them time to learn? Just like in a martial art, the sensei doesn't lecture the entire time and you are expected to drill at home, there is actual class time devoted to drilling. If you don't have enough time, fight for more time. If you're the Stat instructor, look for your state's course library [1] (link to NC's). Dig through the courses, find which ones offer more credits. Then go through the 1-2 year legalities to have it pass. This was how I ensured my Java students had passed at the very least algebra before taking my class. Other tricks of the trade are recording lectures and posting them online. Give them every opportunity to succeed. Then, its their own inabilities that cause them to fail - the blame can't be on you, you gave them every chance. [1] http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/ http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

framebit 9y ago

I wish I could find this again, but I saw a similar thought somewhere out there about teaching elementary school kids with terrible home lives in rough areas. The sentiment was something along the lines of, "How am I supposed to teach them fractions when they're getting raped at home."

moretai 9y ago
raped at home
Mz 9y ago
Some people are homeless in order to get away from the people beating or raping them at home. For such individuals, couch surfing or whatever can be a step up over what they have been dealing with.

projectramo 9y ago

Can you explain which definition they use. I can't find any difference between the term as it is used in the article and the ordinary sense of the term.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
yequalsx 9y ago
If you are living with a friend but aren't part of the lease and can, theoretically, be kicked out at any time you are homeless. The key factor being uncertainty in living situation.
- logfromblammo 9y ago
  For most people, "home", "residence", "address", and "domicile" all mean the same thing. But when you stray into multiple residency or homelessness, those definitions drift apart. Different definitions of homelessness may focus on different words that are not strictly synonymous, which makes those definitions also drift apart. In a strict technical sense, you can't be without a domicile, but it may be difficult to do things like vote or pay taxes or get licenses for your domicile when you are outside it and without at least a semi-permanent mailing address. But you can be without a permanent residence, even if you have been sleeping in the same spot for a while. That occurs whenever you don't have the legal right to be there. If your name (or your custodial parent's name or legal guardian's name) is not on the lease, that address is not your permanent residence, even if it is a long-term roof over your head. But then some people define homeless as having no literal building in which to shelter. Living in a tent or vehicle on property that you own may meet this definition, yet still qualify as having a residence. Some definitions go so far as to measure one's intent for sleeping that night. If you have no idea whatsoever where you will lay your weary head tonight when exhaustion takes you, you are so thoroughly homeless that you might as well be referred to as "homeleast". That's why these surveys have to ask so many questions--to identify those with shelter situations of most and least concern.

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

vkou 9y ago

It's not reasonable that a person's life be thrown into chaos through circumstances that may be outside of their control, but life isn't fair.

tsumnia 9y ago

> What is surprising to me is that I'm expected to teach a homeless person in such a way that they pass the class and know the material. I recently left teaching CC to pursue a PhD, one thing I will say is don't let CC become "No Child Left Behind". Let your stats suffer and fight administration when they ask why. I've had co-workers that just handed students a Cengage textbook and surfed the internet all day, and these were SENIOR MEMBERS of the department. As much as I hate the stereotype, this is government work - you need to do A LOT to get fired. Hell, actually trying to teach might label you a "hard worker". As I mentioned in another comment, my solution was to rethink how I taught. I had a 2 hour lecture and a 3 hour lab each week. So, class 1 was pure lecture and class 2 was just giving them time to work on homework (I wouldn't classify what I did as flipped, but sort of). Assume outside class time they CANNOT (no will not) do the work. In that mindset, how do you provide them time to learn? Just like in a martial art, the sensei doesn't lecture the entire time and you are expected to drill at home, there is actual class time devoted to drilling. If you don't have enough time, fight for more time. If you're the Stat instructor, look for your state's course library [1] (link to NC's). Dig through the courses, find which ones offer more credits. Then go through the 1-2 year legalities to have it pass. This was how I ensured my Java students had passed at the very least algebra before taking my class. Other tricks of the trade are recording lectures and posting them online. Give them every opportunity to succeed. Then, its their own inabilities that cause them to fail - the blame can't be on you, you gave them every chance. [1] http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/ http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/