Educating Children Without Housing

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was enacted in 1987 as the first federal legislation intended to comprehensively combat homelessness. Title VII-B of the Act created the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, which authorizes the appropriation of federal funds to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness receive a free, appropriate public education. This book focuses on (1) "Issues of Homelessness and Education: Causes, Consequences and Definitions"; (2) "State, Local and Federal Responsibilities Regarding Access to Education: Removing Barriers to Enrollment, Attendance and Success"; (3) "School Responsibilities and Implementation Strategies" (stability and school selection, discrimination and segregation, and identification of and outreach to families and youth experiencing homelessness); (4) "Supporting Academic Achievement: Title I, Part A Requirements"; and (5) "You Are Not Alone! Resources for Understanding and Implementing the McKinney-Vento Act." Two appendices contain a list of state coordinators for the education of homeless children and youth and statutory provisions defining the role of the U.S. Department of Education in the administration of the McKinney-Vento Act. (SM).