Homeless Education

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 2001, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, this law became know as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.

This law applies to all homeless children and youth, who are guaranteed a free and appropriate public education. Homeless children and youth include those living with or without their parents in a shelter (such as temporary family shelters, domestic violence shelters, runaway shelters, and homes for school-age unwed mothers), transitional housing, hotel or motel, campground, cars or on the street. Also included are those children and youth temporarily living with relatives or friends (with or without their parents) because they do not have a fixed, regular, safe and adequate residence.

Congress passed this law giving children and youth in homeless situations the right to go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there. For more information, please contact your building principal or the Director of Pupil Personnel and Special Services.

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