Extra-Curricular Activities for Students Who Are Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Act requires the "full participation" of students in school. The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) suggests that paying fees for students to participate in extra-curricular activities should be made on a case-by-case basis, weighing the extent to which participating in an extra-curricular activity is critical to keeping a child or youth engaged and successful in school vs. the costs associated with meeting the greater needs of all the students who are homeless in the district.

Whenever possible, if an extra-curricular activity is academically focused, and the fees are reasonable, the district should be allowing students who are homeless to participate in the extra-curricular activities. Title I funds can be used to pay for students who are homeless to participate in extra-curricular activities, except for sports activities. Districts can connect with community agencies to ask for their support in allowing students who are homeless to participate in sports (from DPI)