The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is authorized under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) (McKinney-Vento Act). The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently reauthorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).1 The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. This particularly vulnerable population of children has been increasing; from the 2006-2007 school year to the 2013-2014 school year, the total number of homeless children and youths approximately doubled from 679,724 to 1,301,239 students, according to EHCY program data. 2 Under the McKinney-Vento Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youths. Homeless children and youths must have access to the educational and related services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. In addition, homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment.3 SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youth.

The McKinney Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling and allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act also states:

• Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing;
• Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year;
• Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records;
• Homeless students have a right to transportation to school;
• Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or enrollment;
• Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being settled;
• Students are automatically eligible for Title I services;
• School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students;
• School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students;
• Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent; and
• School districts must identify a McKinney Vento Liaison to assist students.

• Contact the school district’s local liaison for homeless education for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his or her former school;
• Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping your child adjust to the new situation;
• Tell the school the date you are leaving and start the transfer of your records;
• Ask for a copy of your child’s school records, including:
  • An updated transcript;
  • The grade your child is in;
  • Any important medical information about your child’s needs;
  • Scores your child on any standardized tests;
• If possible, allow your child to say goodbye to friends and teachers.

• Make sure your child attends school every day
• Read to your child. Even a few minutes a day makes a difference
• Make education a family priority
• Help your child develop good study habits
• Meet with your child’s teachers and other school personnel