Coastline Dual Enrollment Student Published in National High School Journal of Science

Fountain Valley, CA — Making waves in and out of class, Coastline College is proud to recognize Laya Krishnan, a high school student and dual enrollment scholar whose research study, “Caught in the Middle: Youth Homelessness, Housing Instability, and the Role of Schools in San Jose,” has been published in the National High School Journal of Science. Her achievement is particularly noteworthy given that she completed this work while still in high school, demonstrating an exceptional level of academic maturity and civic commitment.

Inspiration Close to Home

Laya’s interest in youth homelessness began in her hometown.

“After learning that San Jose has the highest rate of youth homelessness in the country, and that my high school district serves over 1,000 unhoused students, I conducted an independent research study under the guidance of Professor Larry Rosenthal at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy,” she explained.

Drawing on her experience as co-founder of San Jose District 8’s first Youth Council Committee, Laya designed the project to inform youth-focused policy initiatives addressing student housing instability.

A Rigorous Approach to Research

Her study employs a mixed-methods case study of the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD)—the largest high school district in San Jose, serving more than 23,000 students. Laya integrated:

• Quantitative data: district census reports and point-in-time counts
• Qualitative insights: interviews with school support staff, nonprofit partners, and unhoused students

Through this approach, she identified four primary determinants of youth homelessness:

1. Her research also revealed that schools with adequate staffing capacity are better equipped to identify and support unhoused students early, a finding supported by both data and interviews. The study concludes with policy recommendations focused on expanding school support capacity to promote stability and opportunity for at-risk youth.
2.  

Recognition at Coastline

Laya enrolled in Coastline’s Economic Issues and Policy course with Professor Stacey Smith, who noted the real-world relevance of her research.

“Laya conducted a formal study on youth homelessness and academic outcomes in her high school district to determine ways students could be better supported,” Smith said.
“Her research brings to life what we learn in the course—that more structural support is needed to help students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. Laya is leading the way for meaningful change.”

Impact and Future Prospects

Laya’s study highlights the essential role public schools play in identifying, supporting, and stabilizing students experiencing homelessness. It underscores how systemic infrastructure and human connection ensure vulnerable youth can access the resources they need to succeed academically.

Coastline College congratulates Laya on her outstanding achievement and applauds her commitment to leveraging research for community impact. As a dual enrollment scholar contributing to national conversations on equity and youth homelessness, Laya is already making a significant impact. The college looks forward to seeing her continued leadership, scholarship, and advocacy.