(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray responded to a new study showing a
dramatic increase in homeless students across the country and urged support for
her bill, the
Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2009, that
would help children and youth experiencing homelessness thrive in school. The new study
from the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education (OESE) found that over 956,000 homeless students were enrolled in
public schools during the 2008-09 school year (SY) across the country,
including 21,000 in Washington state alone. This marks a 20 percent increase
from SY 2007-08 and a 41 percent increase over the three-year period SY 2006-07
to SY 2008-09.
“So
many children across Washington state are fighting to succeed in school despite
the fact that they are homeless- and they deserve our support,” said Senator
Patty Murray. “As more families across the country struggle with
homelessness, more students than ever are at risk of dropping out or falling
through the cracks. My bill would help these students by providing them with a
stable school environment and the support to help them balance their personal
struggles and their education goals. ”
The Educational
Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2009, which Senator Murray
introduced with Senator Al Franken (D-MN), is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators
Mark Begich (D-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and will help
children and youth experiencing homelessness thrive in school, despite the
constant moving, trauma, and loss often associated with their homelessness.
The
legislation will promote school stability and success for homeless students by:
- Keeping
homeless children and youth in their original schools, unless the parent,
guardian, or unaccompanied youth wishes to change schools, or unless an
individualized, best interest determination by the school supports a change of
schools, - Providing vital
training and resources to school district homeless liaisons, so that they can
provide much-needed support to homeless students, - Increasing
federal funding to help assist with the costs of school transportation for
homeless children, and - Increasing
outreach and identification efforts for homeless students
Details on the
Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2009
English 
Spanish