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With increasing awareness of the growing homeless population in the United States, in 1987 Congress passed the first legislation to address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Originally introduced in 1986 as the Homeless Persons' Survival Act, it was renamed for a chief sponsor and signed into law as the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100–77). Key educational provisions ensured access to free and appropriate public education to the increased number of students experiencing homelessness. Subsequent reauthorizations have expanded legal protections and financial resources to increase educational participation and achievement of children and youth who are homeless.

Addressing Educational Barriers

Initially, the McKinney Act required states to review and modify residency requirements that were blocking school enrollment of students whose families had no housing stability or proof of residence. State coordinators were funded to track enrollment and access problems of homeless students. With mounting evidence of access barriers, the 1990 reauthorization emphasized states' responsibilities to revise any policy or law that interfered with homeless students' educational access and success, and to support local schools in following suit. In addition, funds were authorized to provide direct educational and support services—such as expanded day, tutoring, transportation to school of origin, counseling, and family support—beyond those already provided by schools.

Promoting Educational Success

As more homeless students were identified and served, the range of student needs and family concerns became clearer, and additional reauthorizations addressed these complex issues. In 1994, Improving America's Schools (P.L. 103–382) included the McKinney provisions and expanded services to preschool and certain sectarian programs, increased flexibility in funding usage, mandated interagency coordination, and ensured parental rights to maintain children's attendance in one school despite residency changes. The subsequent reauthorization was renamed McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act, honoring another congressional supporter, and was included in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107–110), which emphasized schools' accountability for all students' educational achievement. McKinney-Vento clarified eligibility requirements and expanded state homeless education services and funding to all local school divisions for integration and expanded support of all homeless students. The U.S. Department of Education reported almost 1 million homeless students in 2008–2009, and $70 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009) funds supported McKinney-Vento's expansion.

Accomplishments

Major accomplishments of this act (and its reauthorizations) for children and youth who experience homelessness are ensured free and appropriate education, increased identification and awareness of homeless students' needs, expanded funding for multiple support services and interagency coordination, and technical assistance resources to promote educational success of homeless children and youth.

  • McKinney Act of 1987
EvelynReed

Further Readings

The following organizations maintain active websites, providing information about the act, its reauthorizations, programs, effective practices, and outcomes.
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth: http://www.naehcy.org
National Center for Homeless Education: http://center.serve.org/nche
National Coalition for the Homeless: http://www.nationalhomeless.org
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