For purposes of this part:

(1) The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” include attending classes and participating fully in school activities.

(2) The term “homeless children and youths”—

(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(1) of this title); and

(B) includes—

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;

(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(2)(C) 1 of this title);

(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 6399 of title 20) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this part because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).


(3) The terms “local educational agency” and “State educational agency” have the meanings given such terms in section 7801 of title 20.

(4) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education.

(5) The term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(6) The term “unaccompanied youth” includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Terms Used In 42 USC 11434a

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.