Under federal law (the McKinney-Vento Act), state and local educational agencies are required to develop, review, and revise policies to “remove barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths, and the enrollment and retention of homeless children and youths in schools in the State, including barriers to enrollment and retention due to outstanding fees or fines, or absences.” [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(1)(I)].

This important requirement helps ensure that state and local policies are aligned with federal law, and that they do not create barriers that prevent children and youth experiencing homelessness from being identified, enrolled, and receiving the support they need to stay in school and succeed.

What Is This Checklist?

This checklist is intended to help local educational agencies (LEAs) evaluate their policies and practices. It supports a structured review of McKinney-Vento compliance and helps identify areas that are strong, as well as those needing improvement.

Who Is This Checklist For?

This checklist is intended for LEA staff working collaboratively—such as liaisons, administrators, and other key personnel—to assess current approaches, strengthen alignment with federal requirements, and improve support for students experiencing homelessness.

Sample LEA Policies for Reference

Here are some specific policies from a few LEAs that may be useful to review. These policies are posted here to help LEAs jumpstart their processes; they are not endorsed by SHC, nor were they compared against the checklist we provide.

• Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland
  • Part I: Access and Services
  • Part II: Staff Responsibilities
• Appleton Area School District, Wisconsin

For more information or assistance with the checklist, please contact your McKinney-Vento State Coordinator.