Homeless Education

Children Deserve Success

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law, passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. Part of the law protects the rights of children and youth who are homeless to go to school. In December 2001, Congress changed the law to give more rights to children, youth and families who are homeless. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless as:

• Children and youths who lacks fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence (substandard housing, no water or electricity).
• Children and youths sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship (doubled-up/tripled-up).
• Children and youth living in a public place not designated for sleeping (cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations or similar settings).
• Children and youths living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camp grounds, and emergency or transitional shelters
• Unaccompanied youth.
• Children and youth awaiting foster care placement.
• Children and youths abandoned in a hospital.
• Migrant children who qualifies under any of the above.

Homeless Students Have Rights To:

• Immediate enrollment in school without a permanent address, immunizations, school records or other papers.
• Continue in the school that the student attended before becoming homeless (school of origin).
• Go to school, no matter where the student lives or how long he/she has lived there.
• Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of required school records or documents.
• Enroll and attend classes even while the school and parent/student seek to resolve a dispute over enrollment.
• Receive transportation to his/her school of origin as long as he/she is homeless, or if the student becomes permanently housed, receive transportation until the end of the academic school year.
• Participate in tutoring, school-related activities, and/or receive other support services.

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the McKinney-Vento Assistance Act ensures educational right and protections for children

For additional information, please contact: Ms. Catherine Hardman by e-mail or by calling (909) 386-2644