Homeless students can ride buses

The state will assist families to ensure they attend school.

The state will provide school buses and city bus passes to transport homeless children to school under a court settlement intended to give homeless families full access to the public education system.

The state Department of Education has already complied with a federal court ruling by hiring liaison personnel to assist homeless families in navigating the paperwork and regulations involved in getting a child into school.

A settlement agreement announced yesterday finalizes the February ruling by U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor that the state must revise enrollment forms and computer registration programs to better identify, track and transport homeless students as required by federal law.