This annual report on the numbers of homeless children in Massachusetts and their educational experiences is based on information from the following six sources: (1) family, adolescent, and battered women shelters; (2) the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (Welfare); (3) the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS); (4) school districts; (5) social service providers working with families in hotels and motels; and (6) personal interviews with homeless families and adolescents. The report is comprised of two main parts and two attachments. The first part, "The Reality," includes the following sections: (1) "Responses from Shelters and Social Service Providers," including discussions of the unique educational needs of homeless children and suggestions on helping homeless children stay in school; (2) "Perspectives of Homeless Children"; and (3) "The Children." The second part, "The Data," includes the following sections: (1) "Ages and Numbers of Homeless Children"; (2) "Changes in Numbers of Homeless Children: October 1988-November 1989"; (3) "School Experience of Homeless Children, Responses from School Personnel"; and (4) "Responses from School Districts." Attachment A comprises lists of May and November 1989 survey respondents from family shelters, battered women shelters, and adolescent shelters. Attachment B reports names of school districts and numbers of reported homeless children during the 1988-89 school year. The report includes 13 figures. (AF)