McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001

Homeless children and youth are ensured specific educational rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001. “Children and youth who are homeless,” as defined by this federal law, means and includes children who

• are abandoned in hospitals or are awaiting foster care placement;
• are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or bus or train stations;
• are living in emergency or transitional shelters;
• are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations;
• are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
• have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or
• lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Children who are homeless will be provided flexibility regarding certain policies and procedures, including proof of residency requirements; immunization requirements; educational program placement; award of credit; eligibility requirements for participating in extracurricular activities; continuing enrollment in the “school of origin” or enrollment in a new school in the attendance area where the student is currently residing; graduation requirements; and other related matters.

Questions concerning assistance offered to homeless students can be obtained from the District Office.