It is the policy of the United States Congress that students who are homeless be provided opportunities to meet the same challenging content and performance standards to which all other students are held accountable. Definition In California, an estimated 220,000 children and youth, from birth to 18 years of age, live in homeless situations during all or part of the year. This definition can apply to families, children and youth, residing in transitional housing units or motels, shelters, camping in public places, doubled up or tripled up with other families, related or not. In addition, those who live in dwellings that are inadequate due to a lack of basic services such as electricity, water and heat, e.g. below standard or abandoned buildings, garages, or hallways, may be considered homeless. California's Education Code Section 48200 compels school attendance for all persons six to 18 years of age.
Schools require proof of residency for admission.
There is no exception to the residency requirement for children and youth who are living in homeless situations in the Education Code, however, this should not be a barrier to school attendance. Children and youth shall not be excluded from attendance because they are homeless and may be unable to provide traditional residency information. The implementation of the Improving America's School Act in California has resulted in an effort that seeks out eligible students who could benefit from supplementary assistance. Children and youth in homeless living situations shall have access to, and be provided with, services comparable to those offered other students. Students who are highly mobile or homeless must be included in district-wide assessment and accountability efforts, like any other student.