McKinney-Vento

All children of school age who are homeless are entitled to the same free and appropriate public education that is provided for non-homeless students.  Schools are required to remove any barriers, including enrollment, attendance, and academic success, for homeless students.

Definition of Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act ensures that children and youth, considered homeless or living in transitional housing, have the same educational rights and protection as all other school children and youth.  Students who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, which includes:

• Living in a car, park, RV park, campsite, or similar location, hotel or motel, homeless shelter, or transitional housing.
• Children or youth living in bus stations, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. Children or youth living in a shed or an uncovered garage.
• Unaccompanied minors (children & youth under the age of 18, not in the physical custody of a parent or court-appointed guardian).
• Migratory children or youth who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances as homeless children and youth.

School Selection & Student Rights

A homeless student can attend the last school of enrollment, if feasible, or a homeless student can attend the school in the area where the family is temporarily residing.

• Students can remain at the elected school site throughout the duration of homelessness.  The school site is considered the school of origin.
• If the family gains permanent housing, the student can remain at the current school for the duration of that academic year.
• Homeless students who are not attending their school of residence do not have the right to attend the next matriculating school.  The student must attend the school in the area in which he/she/they are temporarily residing. 

Enrollment

Schools must immediately enroll homeless students, regardless of the lack of:

• Academic Records
• Proof of Residency
• Medical Records
• Immunization Records

The enrolling school should immediately contact the last school of attendance to obtain missing records.