TPC-Journal-V5-Issue2

204 were structured. The components or factors derived from the PCA comprised the dependent variables in the study. Decisions to retain the factors were based on (a) the scree test, (b) eigenvalues greater than one (Kaiser criterion) and (c) the conceptual meaning of each item. Post hoc analyses. One-way ANOVAs and Crosstabs analyses were used to take a closer look at any interesting findings from the multiple regression analyses. Results Descriptive Analyses In Table 1, we present the means and standard deviations for the 16 items used to assess school counselors’ knowledge and provision of services regarding students experiencing homelessness. Question 1a: Perceived knowledge of McKinney-Vento . The average response to the five items that assessed school counselors’ knowledge of McKinney-Vento was 2.90 ( SD = 1.38), slightly below the midpoint of 3 on the 5-point scale (1 = no knowledge to 5 = extensive knowledge). More specifically, school counselors reported about average knowledge of the McKinney-Vento Act ( M = 2.86, SD = 1.47). They also reported lower levels of knowledge of the role of the State Coordinator ( M = 2.04, SD = 1.19), but slightly above average knowledge of the role of the homeless liaison ( M = 3.19, SD = 1.45). Counselors reported above average knowledge of registration policies for students experiencing homelessness ( M = 3.45, SD = 1.25), and about average levels of knowledge of transportation requirements ( M = 2.97, SD = 1.53). Table 1 Means, Standard Deviations and Factor Loadings of Knowledge and Provision of Services Factor loadings Component Item M SD 1 2 3 Knowledge of McKinney-Vento a 2.86 1.47 .83 .16 .25 I review the McKinney-Vento Act policies to ensure homeless students’ needs are being met b 2.77 1.54 .80 .35 .12 Knowledge of transportation requirements under McKinney-Vento a 2.97 1.53 .76 .16 .30 Knowledge of role of the State Coordinator a 2.04 1.19 .67 .26 .23 I have contact with my school’s homeless liaison b 3.48 1.66 .59 .21 .40 Knowledge of the role of the homeless liaison a 3.19 1.45 .58 .15 .59 Knowledge of registration policies for homeless students a 3.45 1.25 .51 .24 .52 I assess the emotional needs of homeless students b 3.86 1.21 .08 .81 .33 I make contact with homeless families b 3.42 1.32 .20 .71 .33 I ensure that homeless students with whom I work have equal opportunities compared to their non-homeless peers b 4.31 1.00 .07 .68 .40 I assist with the registration of homeless students b 3.45 1.25 .26 .64 -.01 I ensure that homeless students have transportation to attend before- or after-school programs b 3.01 1.57 .35 .62 .12 I provide mentorship programs for homeless students at my school b 2.43 1.34 .15 .57 .08 I visit shelters where homeless students at my school live b 1.44 .88 .41 .46 -.11 Knowledge of emotional/social issues a 3.85 .97 .23 .16 .87 Knowledge of educational issues a 3.87 .96 .29 .25 .83 a On these items the scale ranged from 1 = no knowledge at all to 5 = extensive knowledge. b On these items the scale ranged from 1 = not at all to 5 = always.