Until the 1980s, the American homeless population was made up of mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems, both legal and educational, for already overburdened urban school administrators and teachers.
Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.
One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.
Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions(规定) of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.
64. What can be implied from the first paragraph?
A. Before the 1980s, the homeless population mainly consists of children.
B. Urban schools are seriously short of academic facilities.
C. Many homeless children gather in inner cities.
D. Homeless children are deprived of the opportunity to receive free education
65. The National Coalition for the Homeless believes that the number of homeless children is ___
A. 350,000 B. 440,000 C. 3,000,000 D. 220,000
66. The reason why one part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate might be that ___
A. the homeless children are usually making a living by themselves
B. the homeless population is growing very fast.
C. some homeless children are abandoned by their families
D. the homeless children usually don’t attend school regularly
67. The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that ____________.
A. all homeless people are allowed to receive a good education
B. there is an increasing number of homeless children in America
C. it is necessary for homeless children to be counted as children
D. the educational problems of homeless children are being recognized