NLCHP and NAEHCY Response to 2008 IDEA and McKinney-Vento Q&A Document

Special Education for Homeless Children

We hope that the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Q&A will address many of the challenges schools have encountered in ensuring that students with disabilities in homeless situations receive a free, appropriate public education. However, there are several areas where the Q&A could be clarified to avoid confusion and the denial of rights provided to students and parents under the McKinney-Vento Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). There are also several areas where further guidance would be helpful. To bring these concerns to the attention of OSERS, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) and NLCHP submitted comments to the Q&A in August 2008. We hope that OSERS will consider our comments and revise the Q&A.

Go Back