I don't know about other districts, but MVWSD counts homeless students by adding probing questions about place of residence to the enrollment form that families must fill out every year. I can't remember the exact wording, but it was something like: do you own your home, or rent, or sleep in someone else's home, or in a shelter, or a vehicle? (There was a disclaimer about how the answer would not affect school eligibility.) Now, this is a fairly un-intrusive way of trying to gather information, so the District gets points for diplomacy. However, since the results rely on accurate self-reporting, it comes as no surprise that they don't reflect reality. If I were homeless, or even technically homeless (couch surfing), I doubt that I would believe the District's assurance that this designation would not reflect poorly upon my children or their ability to attend a specific school. I would be very reluctant to answer honestly.

I don't really understand why the state needs to gather this information through the schools anyway. Have they ever considered sending statisticians out to shelters, parks, underpasses, and soup kitchens?

The opening sentence of the article is totally unsubstantiated. I do not think that California is experiencing the worst homelessness crisis in recent memory.

"I do not think that California is experiencing the worst homelessness crisis in recent memory."

What you may think is not pertinent here. Unless you have *actual* statistics to disprove what the State of California is stating here, I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself.

"Unless you have *actual* statistics to disprove what the State of California is stating here, I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself." - That's not how it works. You make a claim, you prove it with statistics. In this case, the claim is this is the "worst homelessness crisis in recent memory". Unfortunately MVWSD stats don't substantiate that claim.

I'm dumbfounded that involved parties aren't jubilant about the schools reporting no homeless students. Wouldn't that be the desired outcome of all of the support and programs for homeless children?

I suspect that those bothered by it are upset because the actual data and results don't fit their narrative.

What facts does Mr. Noack have to support his claim that California is experiencing its worst homelessness crisis in recent memory? The homeless population in Santa Clara county is actually quite low and it makes perfect sense that schools are reporting similar data.

The headline of the article should be changed. Instead of saying "State officials skeptical", it should say "SF Assemblyman skeptical". These SF politicians need to get out more. They see homeless people on the streets of San Francisco and assume that it must be like that everywhere else in California. Then they are in disbelief when data comes out showing that the rest of California does not have the same homeless problem as SF. How much is this unnecessary audit going to cost California taxpayers? That is the question we should be asking.

wow, some of you should ride the 22 sometime, drive around town and visit some parking lots on weekend mornings, drive on el camino in Palo Alto, or hang out a bit at the bus stop. but then, ignorance is a bliss. out of sight out of mind, sweep them under the rug... what homeless problem?