Homeless Education Program
THE LAW
§11431. Statement of policy
The following is the policy of the Congress:
(1) Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths.
(2) In any State where compulsory residency requirements or other requirements, in laws, regulations, practices, or policies, may act as a barrier to the identification of, or the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of, homeless children and youths, the State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.
(3) Homelessness is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment.
(4) Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held.
(Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, §721, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, §1032, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1989; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, §9101, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2124.)
THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT
On December 10, 2015 the President signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Under the previous version of ESEA (the No Child Left Behind Act), the education of homeless children and youth was included in Title X, Part C. Under ESSA homeless education is included in Title IX, Part A.
Text of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015
Useful Links
North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP)
Parent Right Brochure:
National Center for Homeless Education
Homeless Data (Local)
State Coordinator
LISA PHILLIPS
State Coordinator, Education of Homeless Children and Youth
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Office of the Deputy State Superintendent of Innovation
Federal Program Monitoring and Support Division
Phone:(336) 315-7491