The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 2015, provides students’ educational rights for individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It applies to children and youth who are:
- Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- Living in a motel, trailer park, or campground due to lack of alternative
options - Staying in a car, substandard housing, or place not designated for sleeping
- Staying in a housing shelter
- Migratory children if in the previously described situations
Children have the right to:
- Immediately enroll in school with or without the proper documentation or
immunization record - Remain in their school of origin (a school the child attended within the past 15 months) or enroll in their school of residence
- Transportation to the school of origin
- Enroll without a permanent address or proof of residency Educational Rights Local Educational Agency Liaison Shelter and Housing Resources School districts are required to have a designated liaison to ensure that children experiencing homelessness receive education services. Contact the homeless liaison (refer to the Liaison Directory) for the following educational resources and services:
- Assistance with school enrollment, attendance, and academic success
- Coordination between schools and shelters or housing agencies
- Facilitation with the transfer of school records
- Access to special programs such as preschool, special education, and after
school programs - Referrals to community resources that assist with food, shelter, and clothing
- Access to school nutrition programs
- Transportation resources to enable students to attend school
- School supplies and resources for students
- Parent consultation including discussion of educational rights and responsibilities
- Community awareness campaigns
Homeless status is determined in cooperation with the parent or guardian. In the case of unaccompanied youth, status is determined by the Charter School Liaison.
School Liaison: The Executive Director or designee designates the following staff person as the School Liaison for homeless students (42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)):
