The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and the Education Law Center-PA have settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of six homeless children wrongfully denied access to school in a suburb of Pittsburgh. The agreement ensures the children will remain enrolledand required the Pennsylvania Department of Education to issue new guidelines for accommodating homeless students.
These guidelines, in compliance with McKinney-Vento law, make clear that homeless childrenwith any substantial connection to a school district are legally entitled to immediate enrollment.  Moreover, children's families must be promptly notified of their rights.
Stable schooling is critical in what is otherwise a tumultuous, stressful time for homeless children and their families. It also has long-term effects: education is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Thanks to this lawsuit, more than 43,000 homeless children in Pennsylvaniawill have access to the same quality education as their peers.

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