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2/8/2010
A February 3, 2010 Education Week article reports that, across the nation, school districts are struggling to assist an increasing number of homeless students. In an economy that has resulted in high unemployment rates and a large volume of home foreclosures, more students lack a permanent place to live. Recent studies indicate that, from the time the recession officially began in December 2007 and through the 2008-09 school year, half of all states reported an average 50% increase in homeless students. As part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth program requires that a "homeless liaison" be designated by school districts to coordinate services for homeless students. One of the required services is providing transportation so students can continue to attend their original schools. While all districts must comply with the McKinney-Vento requirements, less than 10% receive a portion of the Title I federal money authorized for the program. The increase in demand - coupled with state and local budget cuts - is posing a challenge for many school districts.
The article is available at the Education Week Web site.
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