Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
Continue in the school they last attended before becoming homeless or the school they last attended, if that is the parent's or guardian's choice and is feasible.
Receive transportation to the school they last attended before their family became homeless or the school they last attended, if a parent or guardian requests such transportation.
Attending a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.
Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.
Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
Receive transportation to school and to school programs comparable to that provided to children who are not homeless.

These rights are established under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This act is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in U.S. public schools. It was reauthorized as Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act in January 2002. To qualify for these rights, children and youth must be considered homeless according to the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness.

Read the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness.
Download the full text of the Act. (77K)