Access Homeless students in different districts within the same state often have uneven access to educational services. This situation can be addressed at the state, district, and school level. State policies exempting homeless students from enrollment requirements do not eliminate barriers unless schools and districts are aware of and enforce these policies. State coordinators could help improve these situations by giving technical assistance and information on promising practices to all districts. State policies favoring access for homeless students to federally-funded educational services are not sufficient in themselves to guarantee that access for eligible students.
Federal officials can provide guidance to state coordinators on ways to monitor and increase access.
Also, federal program guidelines could give priority on waiting lists to homeless students. Considering the unmet needs of homeless youth when targeting McKinney resources and developing programs for homeless students, along with better coordination among state and local agencies, may reduce some of the educational barriers homeless youth confront. However, in many cases they have not exhausted all other avenues to find alternate solutions. For example, collaboration with shelter placement agencies may ensure that students are placed near their school of origin or near school bus routes or public transportation services. Coordination With Other Agencies Housing authorities must be made aware of the need to consider educational needs when making housing placement decisions, particularly for students with disabilities.