The Tennessee Department of Education held its McKinney-Vento Quarterly Call on November 1, 2024, focusing on the challenges faced by migratory students and their correlation with homelessness and poverty. The meeting highlighted significant data from the National Center for Homeless Education, revealing that 57% of students living in poverty are foreign-born and have been in the U.S. for three years or less. This statistic underscores the increasing vulnerability of newcomer families, who are disproportionately affected by poverty, a key predictor of homelessness.

Participants discussed the importance of training front desk staff to recognize these trends and to ask pertinent questions during initial contacts with migratory families. This approach aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, are screened for McKinney-Vento eligibility, which provides critical support for homeless students.

The meeting also reported that out of 524 migratory students assessed this school year, 45 were identified as McKinney-Vento eligible, representing about 8.6%. Additionally, 49 out of 590 eligible students in the Migrant Education Program (MEP) were marked as homeless, indicating a similar rate of 8.3%. Since August 2023, the state has supported the enrollment of 112 migratory children, with a notable percentage also qualifying for McKinney-Vento services.

A specific county in Tennessee was highlighted, where up to 50% of MEP students were identified as experiencing homelessness. This statistic raised concerns about potential under-identification of homeless migratory students across the state. The discussion emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to improve identification and support for these vulnerable populations, as barriers to enrollment continue to pose challenges.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical intersection of migration, poverty, and homelessness, calling for enhanced awareness and proactive measures to support affected families in Tennessee.