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www.schoolhouseconnection.org | @SchoolHouseConn

McKinney-Vento 101

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SchoolHouse Connection works to overcome homelessness through education. We provide strategic advocacy and practical assistance in partnership with schools, early childhood programs, institutions of higher education, service providers, families, and youth.

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About SchoolHouse Connection

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Short modules with videos, quizzes, and certificates of completion
Look for pricing and purchase options in an upcoming newsletter!

Teachers
School health staff
School counselors
Enrollment staff
Administrators
Transportation staff
School resource officers
School nutrition staff
Early childhood programs

Coming in October: Online modules for school staff!

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Our Agenda:

Definition / Identification
School of Origin
Immediate Enrollment
Removing Barriers
Your questions
District / charter / state breakouts

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Poll: What are your greatest challenges so far this year?

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Homelessness and Education

Leading to:

High rates of chronic absenteeism
Double the rates of punitive discipline
Lower graduation rates

Homelessness causes:

Chronic health problems
Trauma
Mobility

And the lack of a high school degree is the

Greatest single risk factor for young adult homelessness.

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Education and Homelessness

McKinney-Vento Act
Passed in 1987; last updated in 2015 as part of Every Student Succeeds Act
Applies to school districts and charter schools (LEAs)

Goal: Ensure identification, enrollment, and success in school, including preschool, for children and youth experiencing homelessness

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Definition:

Who is Eligible?

Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason. �77% of identified MV students in 2020–21
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.�Motels: 8%
Living in emergency or transitional shelters. 11%
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. 4%

What is substandard? Check utilities; infestations; mold; dangers.

Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

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Definition:

Unaccompanied youth

Youth run away from home due to abuse or neglect.

40-60% of unaccompanied youth were abused physically at home.
17-25% of unaccompanied youth were abused sexually at home.
Research links parental substance abuse and youth running away from home.

Parents force youth out of the home due to conflicts.

Sexual orientation and gender identity
Pregnancy

A child or youth without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

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Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Analysis

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Disproportionate incidence of homelessness

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Identification

CHALLENGES

Misunderstanding the definition of homelessness
Fear of self-identifying
Moving around and changing schools
Racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other biases
Children under five are particularly invisible.

STRATEGIES

Don’t use the word “homeless.”

“Our school/district has some resources available to parents and students. Can I tell you what they are to see if you’re interested?”

Embed questions and information about homelessness in all enrollment documents, outreach efforts, classwork and conversation.
Stay in touch with students and families on a regular schedule (weekly “check-in” forms; pre-paid phones).
Enlist help from parents and students.
Ask about younger siblings.

https://schoolhouseconnection.org/training-resources/

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Pablo (15 years old) and Olivia (9) enrolled in Bridgeport schools while living with their mother and her boyfriend in a small apartment in Bridgeport. They left their home in September 2021, due to domestic violence. They moved in with their grandmother in Trumbull. As they prepared to start this school year, they were still in their grandmother’s home.

Were Pablo and Olivia still eligible for McKinney-Vento protections as this school year started?

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Basic McKinney-Vento Rights

School of origin
Transportation
Immediate enrollment
Removing barriers

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School of Origin

The school attended when permanently housed, or
The school in which last enrolled.
Includes preschools, and
Includes a designated receiving school in a feeder school system.��

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The right to remain in the school of origin

Each LEA shall, according to the child’s or youth’s

best interest:

Keep the student in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness, and until the end of the academic year in which the student becomes permanently housed; or
Enroll the student in a local school,
There is a presumption in favor of the school of origin, as well as parent/unaccompanied youth wishes.

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The right to transportation

LEAs must provide students in homeless situations with transportation to the school of origin.
LEAs also must address transportation barriers to attending classes and participating fully in school, including extra-curricular activities.
What the LEA is/not doing for other students does not change these requirements.

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Last week, the children’s grandmother was evicted after her landlord found out Pablo, Olivia, and their mother were staying with her. Now, they’re all staying with the children’s aunt in Milford. Mom has decided to concentrate her work search between Milford and New Haven.

POLL: Should Pablo and Olivia continue to attend their school of origin in Bridgeport?

Are Pablo and Olivia entitled to transportation to their school of origin?

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Immediate Enrollment

62% of McKinney-Vento students said that proof of residency requirements posed a major challenge for them when enrolling in a new school.
56% said lack of cooperation between their new and old schools (records transfer) posed a major challenge.
60% found changing schools difficult to navigate.��

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The right to enroll in school immediately

McKinney-Vento students are entitled to immediate enrollment, even without required documents, such as school records, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, guardianship, or other documents.

Enrollment means “attending classes and participating fully in school activities.”

Immediate means “without delay.”

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Immediate enrollment for unaccompanied youth

Unlike most education laws, McKinney-Vento gives rights directly to unaccompanied youth, above the rights of their parents/guardians

To enroll and make decisions
To choose between school of origin and local school
To file disputes

LEAs can handle enrollment in any way that ensures immediate participation; the most common procedure is for youth to enroll themselves.

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So far, Olivia and Pablo remained at their school of origin in Bridgeport. Later this fall, mom finds a job in New Haven, and the family moves into a motel there. Mom is hoping to find housing somewhere in New Haven.

Should Pablo and Olivia transition to a school in New Haven?
POLL: Can they enroll immediately in a charter school or traditional public school in New Haven?
Suppose Pablo and his mother fight, and he moves in with a friend in Stratford.

Can Pablo continue to attend school in Bridgeport?
Can Pablo enroll in a Stratford public school on his own?

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Removing Barriers

SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment, and retention of McKinney-Vento students, including barriers due to outstanding fees, fines, or absences.

https://schoolhouseconnection.org/supporting-attendance

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Removing Barriers to Enrollment and Retention