This document provides information about programs and laws pertaining to the education of homeless children, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Opening Doors project, which aims to disseminate information to schools and shelters about the educational rights of homeless youth. It also discusses provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) regarding accountability, flexibility in use of funds, parental involvement, and support for struggling schools.

2.  Opening Doors click
 Facts Every Parent Should Know About
NCLB click
 NCLB: A Toolkit for Teachers click
 Conclusion click
 Citations click

3.  This is an Illinois State Board of Education
grant-funded project under the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Children and Youth
Program
 The goal of this statewide initiative is to
disseminate information to Illinois schools
and shelters as to the educational rights and
needs of homeless children and youth

4.  McKinney-Veto Homeless Assistance Act was first signed
into law on July 22, 1987.
 This remains the only major federal legislative response to
homelessness.
 This Act insures the child the right to choose to stay in the
school of origin or attend the school nearest their shelter or
temporary home.
 This Act insures immediate enrollment even when
school/medical records cannot be produced at the time of
enrollment
 Ensures they will receive assistance with transportation if
needed

5.  I think the Opening
Doors project is an
amazing addition to
NCLB. It gives homeless
children the opportunity
to learn just the same as
privileged children, does
Indiana have anything
like this project in place?
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6.  NCLB gives states and school districts more control
and more flexibility to use resources where they are
needed most. Less time filling out forms and more
time helping children
 NCLB holds schools and school districts accountable
for results
 NCLB gives school districts more money. In fact,
President Bush and Congress have spent more money
than ever before on the education of America’s
children

7.  NCLB gives parents report cards so they can see which
schools in their district are succeeding and why
 NCLB may let you transfer your child to another public
school if the state says that your child’s school is “in
need of improvement”. The school district may pay for
transportation for your child
 NCLB may also provide your child with free tutoring
and extra help with schoolwork if the state says your
child’s school has been “in need of improvement” for
at least 2 years

8.  There are many things
about NCLB that I didn’t
know. This website is
very useful, not only
parents, but for teachers.
Do you agree with NCLB
and do you think it is
working?
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9.  The NCLB Act of 2001 is a landmark in education
reform designed to improve student achievement and
close achievement gaps
 As part of the accountability provisions set forth in the
law, NCLB has set the goal of having every child make
the grade on state-defined education standards by the
end of the 2013-14 school year
 NCLB does not label schools a “failing”, instead they
are identified as “in need of improvement” and they
are given assistance to improve by doing such things as
instituting a school improvement plan or increasing
professional development for teachers

10.  When schools are defined as “in need of
improvement” they work on identifying problems in
instruction or curriculum and also analyzing and
revising the school’s budget so that resources are more
effectively targeted to activities most likely to help
students learn
 NCLB outlines the minimum qualifications needed by
teachers: a bachelor’s degree, full state certification
and demonstration of subject-matter competency for
each subject taught

11.  This was a very useful
website for teachers to
get familiar with the
NCLB Act. Do you think
the goal of every child
“making the grade” by
the school year 2013-2014
is an unrealistic goal?
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12.  I have learned so much about NCLB. It is amazing all
the information that is available. I had no idea how
detailed this Act was. It seems to cover all aspects of a
child’s education. This ensures that, in fact, no child is
left behind in the education system. It gives all
opportunities for children to truly reach their
potential. As long as this is followed and used in all
school systems, there is no reason a child should be
without proper education.
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13.  Slide 1:
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nclb/htmls/homeless.htm
 Slide 2:
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/overview/intro/parents/pare
ntfacts.html
 Slide 3:
http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/fedprog/grantmgmnt/
PDF_Files/nclb_teachers_toolkit_04_rev.pdf