The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires all public school districts to provide students experiencing homelessness with the right to enroll and stay in public school, free transportation to and from school, and other academic support.
But according to a recent report from the Midwest Public Newsroom, students experiencing homelessness aren’t getting these services enough because districts are undercounting how many students are facing housing instability.
In the 2022-23 school year, schools in Missouri identified 34,565 students as homeless. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, 84 percent of those students were unsheltered, living in cars or parks. Just 16 percent were living in shelters, motels, or other families.
The Midwest Public Newsroom’s Unhoused/Unschooled report estimates that half of students experiencing homelessness are not receiving the funding or support they’re entitled to. What’s more, the Center for Public Integrity found that 300,000 homeless students across the U.S. aren’t getting McKinney-Vento services, even though federal law says they are supposed to.
This lack of support can have large impacts on this vulnerable student population. Students experiencing homelessness struggle with chronic absenteeism, lower GPAs, and higher dropout rates. The instability and lack of support can also create emotional distress for students.All students are entitled to a quality education that supports their educational and emotional well-being. If you or someone you know has not had their McKinney-Vento rights fulfilled, the skilled attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. can help. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.