§ 11431. Statement of policy

The following is the policy of the Congress:

(1) Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths.

(2) In any State that has a compulsory residency requirement as a component of the State’s compulsory school attendance laws or other laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths, the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.

(3) Homelessness alone is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment.

(4) Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 721, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1032, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1989.)

Prior Provisions

Prior Provisions

A prior section 11431, Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 721, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 323, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3957, stated policy of Congress, prior to the general amendment of this part by Pub. L. 107–110.

Another prior section 11431, Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 721, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 612(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4735, stated policy of Congress, prior to the general amendment of this part by Pub. L. 103–382.

Effective Date

Effective Date

Part effective Jan. 8, 2002, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110, set out as a note under section 6301 of Title 20, Education.