Advocating for the Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth: How to Navigate the Dispute Resolution System

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 amended and reauthorized the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ("McKinney-Vento"). McKinney-Vento guarantees homeless children and youth equal access to free, appropriate public education and the right to educational continuity and stability. The law also requires states and school districts to review and revise laws, policies, regulations, and practices that may act as a barrier to the education of homeless children and youth.

Under McKinney-Vento, homeless students and their families can dispute eligibility determinations, school placement, and school enrollment issues. Homeless children and youth often have to navigate the dispute resolution process on their own without the benefit of counsel or access to legal resources.

This course, presented by attorney Michael Santos, provides a broad overview of the educational rights of homeless children and youth and how lawyers can address their legal needs through the federally required dispute resolution process.   

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explore the education rights of homeless children and youth guaranteed under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, how this federal law is implemented on the state and local levels, and current challenges in compliance
2. Review updates on what changes were made to McKinney-Vento under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
3. Understand the legal considerations when navigating the dispute resolution process at the local and state levels
4. Gain insight on different ways lawyers can get involved in addressing the educational needs of homeless children and youth