What is McKinney-Vento?
The McKinney-Vento Act for the Education of Houseless Children and Youth Program, ensures that houseless children and youth are provided a free, appropriate public education, despite the lack of a fixed, regular, nighttime, adequate place of residence. A youth is considered unaccompanied if they are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The state public school admission statute assuring the right of houseless and other children and youth in similar circumstances to enroll in schools is Oregon Revised Statute
ORS 339.115(7).
Every school district in Oregon has at least one designated Houseless Student Liaison to provide direct assistance to families navigating houselessness and unaccompanied youths to access and achieve in school. To reach a district liaison, refer to the McKinney-Vento Liaison Contact List linked below or you may contact the district’s administrative office or the state Houseless Education Program office.
Eligibility
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.
- 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.
- If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
- 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.
Houseless Student Data
Data posted in this section (Counts of 1 to 5 students) have been suppressed to protect confidentiality. State totals are unduplicated, while other totals may include students identified more than once.
2022-23 Houseless Student Data