Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is reviewing its policy that protects the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness, known as the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Policy.
As part of this process, CPS is inviting community input. Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) is encouraging families, educators, advocates, and anyone impacted by student homelessness to speak up.
Why This Policy Matters
The Education of Homeless Children and Youth Policy governs how schools support students in temporary living situations (STLS)—from enrollment and transportation to fee waivers and academic support. It implements the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness can access school without barriers.
During the 2024-2025 school year, at least 22,000 CPS students were experiencing homelessness. When a child is displaced from stable housing, it shouldn’t mean losing access to education. That’s why strong, clear policies are essential—and why your feedback is so important right now.
How We Helped Create This Policy
CCH has a long history of advocating for the rights of students without permanent housing. We were instrumental in pushing CPS to develop a standalone STLS policy, which was adopted in 1996 and ensures that the rights outlined in federal and state law are protected at the district level. In 2016, CPS updated that policy, thanks in part to our advocacy and the voices of grassroots leaders and parents with lived experience on the CCH Education Committee.
Education Committee members met with then mayoral policy chief Michael Negron in 2016 to discuss the challenges students and families face
What Could Change and How You Can Help Shape the Revised Policy
Now that CPS is reviewing the policy again, CCH sees this as a critical opportunity to strengthen it. Some of the areas we believe deserve attention include:
- Aligning with new state laws, such as HB5407, which ensures charter schools waive fees just like district-operated schools.
- Ensuring equity in the Selective Enrollment Tier System to ensure students experiencing homelessness have access to academic environments that are well-matched with their talents and abilities.
- Improving digital access to educational materials and resources, by guaranteeing devices and internet access for students experiencing homelessness.
- Expanding language accessibility throughout CPS school communities—from classrooms and counseling to outreach materials and parent/caregiver communications—to better reach all CPS families.
- Clarifying dispute resolution procedures to make them clear, accessible, and multilingual.
- Strengthening training requirements for school staff to ensure consistent support across schools and classrooms.
Add Your Voice
Policies work best when they’re informed by the people most affected. Whether you’re a student, parent, liaison, advocate, or concerned community member, your insight matters. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and share your experience or ideas.
