Abstract
The McKinney-Vento Act Homeless Assistance Act, including revisions made during the reauthorization in Title IX, Part A, of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) and its implications are not as widely known as they should be among educators and administrators. The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as any student without "a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." It also provides legal guidelines and funding that can be used to help improve schooling experiences for youth who are homeless. Since the federal protections are more clearly outlined for students in high school or lower grades than in higher education, this article focuses primarily on summarizing that information. It gives an overview of student homelessness and examines the federal guidelines that frame how schools and postsecondary institutions serve students experiencing homelessness. Federal law outlines legal rights for students, but these mandates should only be considered a minimum standard when providing support. Additionally, the article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic strife on students and families experiencing homelessness. Finally, it provides promising practices that encourage academic engagement and success for students who are homeless.