New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

Families and Youth

Click the links below to get information geared toward families and youth experiencing homelessness.

New York State Short Guides

Useful, basic information on the educational rights of students in temporary housing situations.

Dispute Resolution/Appeal Process

All school districts must follow New York State procedure for when a homeless family or unaccompanied youth and school district disagree about a homeless student's designation, right to school selection, enrollment, transportation, etc. Access the NYS-specific dispute resolution/appeal forms and learn more about the dispute resolution process. Find answers to commonly asked questions about the dispute resolution process and access documents on the dispute resolution process.

Special Education

Special education offers instruction that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, at no cost to parents. The McKinney-Vento Act, together with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) works to ensure that the needs of homeless students with special needs are met. Find helpful resources regarding the rights of special needs students experiencing homelessness. Find answers to commonly asked questions about special education.

New York City Resources

Get a better understanding of the differences between the rights of students experiencing homelessness in New York City and those in the rest of New York State.

Scholarships for Students in Temporary Housing

Find a list of resources available for students experiencing homelessness in need of financial support to attend college.

Contacting Landlords Violates FERPA [Word doc]

Under FERPA, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, schools cannot make known part of a student's educational record without a parent's consent. Calling a landlord or housing authority to ask whether a student is living at a particular address or to disclose this type of information should be construed as a disclosure of address and/or homeless status, and therefore violates FERPA.

Student Recovery from Traumatic Events [PDF]

This U.S. DOE-issued brochure is intended to provide practical information for parents, students, and service providers on how to help students who are coping in the aftermath of a traumatic event.