McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Title VII, Subtitle B, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11431-11435; Title 34 CFR Part 74, ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

According to a child or youth's best interest, Local Educational Agencies must either continue the child/youth's education in the school of origin, or enroll the child/youth in school in any public school that nonhomeless students who live in the attendance area where the child/youth is actually living are eligible to attend. States must submit a plan demonstrating how its policies comply with the law. All LEAs must designate an appropriate staff person as a local educational agency liaison to insure that the Act is complied with.

Any State desiring to receive funding under NCLB Title I Part A must submit a plan to the Department of Education that is coordinated with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. LEAs also must reserve such funds as are necessary to provide services comparable to those provided to children in Title I, Part A funded schools to serve homeless children who do not attend participating schools, including support services to children in shelters and other locations where children may live.

U.S. Department of Education Guidance
Discussion of federal McKinney Act funding for homeless students. http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/index.html


National Center on Homelessness & Poverty
Several client education pieces and issue briefs for advocates downloadable including "Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations, 2003 Guide to Their Rights;" McKinney-Vento 2001-- Law into Practice Series -- describing the Act in detail.
http://www.nlchp.org/Pubs/index.cfm?FA=2&TAB=0