McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento (MKV) Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of homeless students. MKV was reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) to ensure that every homeless child receives services of support to eliminate barriers and meet the changing needs in education.
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter
- In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
- In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
- Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
Your eligible children have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
- Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.
If you need assistance, please contact our homeless liaison, Ms. Lou Hanson, School Social Worker, at 202-529-4400 or [email protected]