FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Maryland is reporting a 66 percent rise in the number of homeless public school students over the last four years.

The state Department of Education says about 14,000 Maryland students enrolled in a federally funded homeless education program this year, compared with about 8,500 in 2007.

The steepest year-over-year increase was a 27 percent jump last year.

Frederick County Public Schools announced earlier this month it received a $45,000 state grant to provide services to homeless students.

The state education department says 14 counties have received such grants through a federal program administered by the state.

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