URGE FEINSTEIN TO VOTE AGAINST SCHOOL SEGREGATION

A C T I O N A L E R T

Help Stop the School Segregation of Homeless Children

April 26, 2001

BACKGROUND: The Senate will soon begin debate on S. 1, the \"Better Education
for Students and Teachers Act.\" S. 1 reauthorizes the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act. It includes the McKinney Act\'s Education for
Homeless Children and Youth program.

S. 1 contains many important measures that would increase homeless
children\'s access, stability, and support in school --provisions such as
immediate enrollment, liaisons in all schools, and the right to stay in the
school of origin for the duration of homelessness.

S. 1, does not permit the school segregation of homeless children. However,
Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) is very likely to offer an amendment on the Senate
floor to permit segregation.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is wavering about how she will vote on
this amendment.

STATUS: S. 1 could be on the Senate floor for debate and votes at any time
this week.

ACTION NEEDED: Please contact Senator Feinstein today and urge her to oppose
any amendment to S.1 that would permit the school segregation of homeless
students (see attached sample letter).

In light of the lack of time before S. 1 reaches the Senate floor, it is
best to fax your letters to Senator Feinstein. Her Washington, DC fax number
is 202.228.3954.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Barbara Duffield at NCH at
202.737.6444, ext. 18, or email at bduffield [at] nationalhomeless.org.




SAMPLE LETTER TO U. S. SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN (Please personalize with
local program information.)


The Honorable Dianne Feinstein U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Feinstein:

Legislation soon to be considered by the U.S. Senate, the \"Better Education
for Students and Teachers Act,\" (S. 1) amends the McKinney Act. The
McKinney Act is the means by which homeless children receive an education
that might otherwise slip away from them. It is a law that has made a
difference.

S. 1 contains many measures that would improve homeless children\'s access,
stability, and support in school - provisions such as immediate enrollment,
liaisons in all schools, and the right to stay in the school of origin for
the duration of homelessness. S. 1 also explicitly prohibits separate
schools or classrooms for homeless children, and requires states to provide
technical assistance to help school districts integrate homeless students
into the mainstream school environment. I applaud these provisions, and urge
you to support them.

However, I also understand that there are efforts underway this year to
legitimize school segregation, and that there may be amendments on the
Senate floor.

I urge you to fight any and all attempts to permit the school segregation of
homeless children. Congress has enacted policies that call for desegregation
and mainstreaming of children by race and disability status because such
segregation denies children equal educational opportunities. Segregation by
income level presents the same problems. Separating children from their
peers because their families cannot afford housing is a devastating policy
and practice. It increases the stigma associated with homelessness, causes
unnecessary disruption in the lives of homeless children, and deprives
homeless children of the full range of educational opportunities to which
they are entitled.

Our public schools must be held accountable for the education of all
children. The only way to hold schools accountable for the education of the
poorest children is to ensure that they are fully integrated into the
mainstream school environment.

I therefore urge you to vote NO on any amendment that would permit the
school segregation of homeless students. Please make sure that all homeless
children benefit from the stability, normalcy, diversity, opportunities, and
resources of mainstream schools.

Thank you in advance for your leadership.