Ed474 385 - The Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program

This guide suggests strategies to help states, districts, and schools overcome barriers that keep homeless children and youth from getting the education to which they are entitled, presenting approaches for helping them achieve the same high standards expected of all children. The promising practices all come from states and districts that have placed a strong emphasis on enrolling homeless children and youth in school and helping them succeed. This study involved three states (Illinois, Oregon, and Texas) and six school districts (Baltimore County, Maryland; Buck’s County, Pennsylvania; ‘Chicago, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Santa Cruz, California; and Victoria, Texas). Researchers interviewed state coordinators of homeless education by telephone and visited the six districts to gather information about their programs. This report discusses educating homeless children and youth (the challenges this study addresses and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act); roles and responsibilities of state coordinators (e.g., raise awareness, disseminate information, and evaluate effectiveness); and promising practices from other state-level players, districts, and schools (e.g., awareness raising, immediate enrollment, transportation, and outreach). Four appendices present promising practices highlights, organizations and advocacy groups, recent publications, and questions and answers on the education of homeless children and youth.