Strengthens the educational rights of unaccompanied youth Strengthens state support to all school districts Promotes the integration of homeless children and youth into mainstream schools. All other provisions were passed by the House last year in H.R. 2. Over one million children are likely to experience homelessness over the course of a year. The severe poverty of homeless students, exacerbated by loss of housing and high mobility, puts homeless children at great risk of educational failure. Homeless children are twice as likely as their housed peers to repeat a grade, most often as the result of frequent absences and moves to new schools.
Homeless children are also twice as likely as their housed peers to have learning disabilities.
Homeless students face numerous barriers to school enrollment and attendance - and without access to school, there can be no academic success. Improves students' access to school. Requires schools to immediately enroll homeless children and youth, thereby eliminating delays caused by lack of records and other enrollment requirements. Requires that a contact person be designated as a liaison for homeless children and youth in every school district, thus ensuring that homeless children are identified, enrolled, and receive equitable access to high quality education and support services. Requires that public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youth be disseminated in every school district, thus increasing awareness of homeless children's educational rights.