Buses required for homeless students

The state has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed last year that alleged homeless children around the state are being denied equal access to public education.

The settlement agreement approved yesterday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Helen Gillmor requires the state to improve transportation to and from public schools for students living in shelters, cars or on beaches, as well as to improve programs to locate and identify children in need of such services.

Alice Greenwood, a Leeward Coast homeless advocate and one of three residents who sued, said, "All I ever wanted was for my son to have the same education as everyone else. I hope things will be better now."