K-12 Education Committee
NAEHCY’s K-12 Education Committee is a membership committee focused on enhancing understanding and advocacy for the educational priorities and rights of students experiencing homelessness. The work of the committee is rooted in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal statute that authorizes the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program, which provides critical protections that ensure students facing homelessness have equitable access to quality education and support services.
Understanding Student Rights
The rights of students experiencing homelessness are established through the McKinney-Vento Act, which guarantees immediate enrollment, educational stability, transportation, and full participation in school activities. These federal protections are crucial for the educational success of more than 1.2 million identified homeless youth across the United States, ensuring they receive consistent and supportive educational experiences despite housing instability.
Benefits of Advocacy and Educational Supports
Sound educational support and coordinated advocacy directly benefit students experiencing homelessness by improving their academic outcomes, enhancing social-emotional well-being, and increasing access to essential resources. Advocacy efforts address immediate educational needs and contribute to long-term solutions that enable youth to thrive academically and personally.
Objectives of the K-12 Committee
The primary objectives of our committee include:
- Providing targeted professional development and resources to NAEHCY members and stakeholders, highlighting the unique educational needs and challenges students experiencing homelessness face.
- Sharing best practices and successful strategies from K-12 leaders within the field of homeless education.
- Offering policy perspectives to inform education and community leaders, guiding the development of effective strategies that facilitate higher levels of academic achievement and enhanced access to essential services for McKinney-Vento students.
Commitment to Excellence
The K-12 Education Committee is dedicated to spotlighting best practices and proven strategies that significantly enhance the educational outcomes of students experiencing homelessness. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among educators, advocates, policymakers, and community partners, the committee seeks to strengthen educational supports, remove barriers, and empower all McKinney-Vento youth to achieve academic and personal success.
Committee Chair: Donnie Everett, Assistant Superintendent, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
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