Oklahoma has seen one of the largest increases in homeless students in the nation. Look at how the homeless student population has grown, or in a few cases shrank, in each state.
Source: U.S. Department of Education

Oklahoma is not alone in dealing with a rising number of homeless students.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education show there were nearly 1.2 million homeless students in the country in 2011-2012, the latest year for which figures are available. That reflected a 24-percent increase since 2009-2010.

By contrast, Oklahoma saw a 34 percent increase, the 13th largest growth in the nation.

North Dakota had the biggest increase, followed by Michigan and South Dakota.

While Oklahoma counts homeless students only in public schools, the U.S. Department of Education also includes students who are home-schooled and in private schools.

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