This report on the educational needs of homeless children was prepared in compliance with Title VII-B of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Surveys were carried out to determine the number and location of homeless students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to assess their unique educational needs as the basis for formulating a state plan as required by the legislation. The report is divided into five sections. Section 1 is an introduction. Section 2 describes the methods used in data collection, summarizes data from local education agencies (LEAs), shelters, hotels/motels, and Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare, determines the total number of homeless students in Massachusetts, compares replies from the three surveyed sources, and presents data from interviews with homeless families. A total of 278 (92 percent) school districts responded, but only one-fifth of these reported being aware of homeless students in their district. Districts reported a total of 967 homeless children, the majority of whom were elementary school students. Section 3 analyzes the barriers homeless children face in receiving educational services in Massachusetts. Section 4 presents recommendations for alleviating these barriers. Recommendations are made in the following areas: (1) transportation; (2) transfer of student records; (3) interagency collaboration; (4) dissemination of information; and (5) inservice training for school and shelter personnel. Section 5 consists of appendixes containing the survey instruments and a glossary of terms. Data are presented on 10 tables and figures. (BJV)