The Importance Of Homeless Education

Many children are forced into homelessness due to poverty or household instability. For homeless children, the loss of their homes is often more sudden, more unexpected, and more traumatic. The family is suddenly thrust outside of its own community, friends, support system, and schools. They begin to focus on their survival instead of their education and becomes the last thing on their mind. What many people don’t understand is homelessness affects a child's ability to succeed in school, their legal rights regarding education, and what schools can do to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of homelessness on children (Rafferty). Homelessness has a devastating impact on children and their educational opportunities. When their grades are
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act was passed. It provide considerable protection for the educational needs of homeless children and youth in the United States. The act also gave grants to states so homeless children’s education could be carried out. The grant would cover their basic school needs such as school supplies, uniforms, and lunch programs. “The law requires states to ensure that local educational agencies do not create a separate education system for homeless children” (Rafferty). The act wanted to ensure that the homeless children received equal education like a housed children. The government wanted to ensure that the homeless children have equal opportunities because they are economically challenged. “States must adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youth are not isolated or stigmatized” (Rafferty). This helps prevent the child from being considered an outcast which may damage their emotional state and lead to academic failure. “States must review and revise all policies, practices, laws, and regulations that may prevent the enrollment, attendance, and school success of homeless students”. It means that the child is given the choice of where they want to attend. They also have the right to continue at the "school of origin" through the end of the current school year or for the following year if the child becomes homeless between academic years. In addition to this schools must provide the necessary
Educators can take steps to meet the needs of homeless children, so they can receive a proper education. One effective strategy is to help homeless children remain enrolled in their current school. Local educational agencies should ensure that school faculty are aware of the legal rights of homeless children, and actively collaborate with local shelters to provide continuity in the child’s attendance. Secondly, educators could help the homeless children minimize enrollment delays. Many schools implement policies that minimize enrollment delays, particularly those related to residency, guardianship, and immunization requirements. With the transfer of school records it could take a student weeks to be able to attend their new school. Educators should expedite the process both for students who are transferring into their schools and for those who are leaving. Thirdly, schools should ensure that homeless children are placed in appropriate classroom settings and that they receive the services they are entitled to. If a child needs special educational services, schools should not postpone referrals or testing because of uncertainty about how long the child will be enrolled. In addition, schools and districts should ensure that homeless children receive support services that are