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Compliance Training for School Administrators

Homeless Children & Youth: A School District Responds. Compliance Training for School Administrators. Highlights: Another View. Definitions Academic Achievement Liaison for Homeless Students Enrollment School Selection Transportation Dispute Resolution.

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Compliance Training for School Administrators

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  1. Homeless Children & Youth:A School District Responds Compliance Training for School Administrators

  2. Highlights: Another View • Definitions • Academic Achievement • Liaison for Homeless Students • Enrollment • School Selection • Transportation • Dispute Resolution

  3. Federal Law The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools

  4. Alabama Education Code 290-3-1-.02 Regulations Governing Public Schools. A student who may be homeless or has an uncertain place of residence may present themselves for enrollment at a public school or a school system’s office.  School administrative personnel should make a determination of the student’s residential status based upon the definition in Section 103(a) of the McKinney Act.

  5. The McKinney-Vento Act • Every school district is required to have a homeless education liaison What You Must Know About The Law: • The liaison is required by law • to perform specific tasks

  6. The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth wholack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residenceare homeless What You Must Know About The Law:

  7. The McKinney-Vento Act When families “double up” because one family is experiencing loss of housing or economic hardship, the family is considered homeless Families Living “Doubled Up”

  8. The McKinney-Vento Act • Children in migratory families • Children with parent(s) serving abroad in the military • Unaccompanied youth not living with a parent or legal guardian Special Considerations

  9. The McKinney-Vento Act • Requires schools to keep children in the school of origin to the extent feasible, except where contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian Educational Stability

  10. The McKinney-Vento Act • Child or youth’s right to attend their school of origin extends to entire duration of homelessness • Requires removal of any barriers that contribute to exclusion or enrollment delay Educational Stability

  11. The McKinney-Vento Act • No documents required Immediate Access • Assistance of homeless liaison • in obtaining immunizations • and/or medical records • Written explanation of decision • in dispute resolutions

  12. Homeless Children in Alabama Current Estimate 10,500+

  13. Homeless Children in Alabama Current Estimate In Mobile 2000+

  14. Barriers to Enrollment • Lack of transportation to or from temporary residence • Lack of immunization and medical records • Lack of school records • State guardianship /residency requirements not uniformly interpreted by school • Lack of birth certificates

  15. Attendance policies Secondary school credit accrual Legal guardianship requirements Barriers to Enrollment Youth ages 14 and up face additional barriers to school enrollment, for example:

  16. Barriers to Academic Success • Frequent mobility • Lack of staff awareness and sensitivity • Inability to complete school assignments • Lack of psychological services • Poor health and inadequate medical care • Physical needs -- food, clothing, health care

  17. Why School of Origin? WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF MOBILITY • Students who switch schools frequently score lower on standardized tests (study found mobile students scored 20 points lower than non-mobile students). • Mobility also hurts non-mobile students (study found average test scores for non-mobile students were significantly lower in high schools with high student mobility rates).

  18. Why School of Origin? WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF MOBILITY • It takes children 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools. • Mobility during high school greatly diminishes likelihood of graduation (study found students who changed high schools even once were less than half as likely as stable students to graduate, even controlling for other factors).

  19. Why School of Origin? • School of origin . . . if it is requested and feasible -- or -- • School of residency Which School Is In A Student’s Best Interest?

  20. Why School of Origin? FEASIBILITY - USDE CRITERIA • Student-centered, individualized • Age of the child/youth •   Safety of the student • Length of stay in shelter • Student's need for special instructional programs • Impact of commute on education • Time remaining in the school year

  21. Transportation • LEAs must provide students experiencing homelessness with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent’s or guardian’s request (or liaison’s • request for unaccompanied youth). [722(g)(1)(J)(3)]

  22. Transportation School districts that provide transportation to the school of origin have documented increased attendance and increased achievement, resulting in increased funding to the district.

  23. Dispute Resolution RESOLVING ENROLLMENT DISPUTES • Every state must establish procedures to promptly resolve disputes. [722(g)(1)(C)] •   The student must be immediately admitted to the school of choice while the dispute is being resolved, and transportation to the school of origin must be provided, upon request. 722(g)(3)(E)(1); USDE Guidance]

  24. Dispute Resolution RESOLVING ENROLLMENT DISPUTES • The school must provide a written explanation of its decision, including the right to appeal the decision (liaisons inform unaccompanied youth). [722(g)(3)(E)(2), 22(g)(3)(B)(3)] • The school must refer the child, youth, parent or guardian to the liaison to carry out the dispute process as expeditiously as possible. [722(g)(3)(E)(3)]

  25. Support for Academic Success SPECIAL SERVICES • Students in homeless situations must have access to services for which they are eligible (special education, programs for English language learners (ESL), gifted and talented programs, vocational/technical education, school nutrition programs, etc.) [723(g)(4)]

  26. Support for Academic Success FREE LUNCH • The Child Nutrition Act provides categorical eligibility for free meals for students who are homeless, migrant, or served by RHYA programs. Liaisons and shelter directors may obtain free school meals for students by providing child nutrition staff a list of names of students and effective dates. (Public Law 108-265)

  27. Support for Academic Success REFERRALS • Liaisons must refer students for health, mental health and dental services. [722(g)(6))(A)] • Liaisons must inform parents of the services available at the school and provide meaningful opportunities for involvement.[722(g)(6))(A)]

  28. Increasing Awareness • Common problems Life Is Difficult For Our Homeless Students • Effects of poverty and homelessness • Educational needs • Emotional and social difficulties

  29. Increasing Awareness • At the time of enrollment • After a student is enrolled and attending classes Know The Possible Signs Of Homelessness . . .

  30. Obtaining Student Data Student Residency Questionnaire Routine inquiries about residency help determine which students might be eligible for assistance because they meet the legal definition of homelessness

  31. Obtaining Student Data Acceptable Documents after Enrollment • Proof of residency • Birth data • School records • Health records and immunizations

  32. Uniforms Major Changes: • NO uniform closet • Limited funding to purchase uniforms

  33. Uniforms Please Keep In Mind: • Students cannot be denied access to school due to lack of uniform items, i.e. pants, shirts, belts, shoes • Be prepared to assist your students with uniforms • Operate a used uniform closet at your school • Partner with your PTA and Partners in Education to purchase uniforms

  34. Making a Difference • Direct Assistance • Indirect Assistance Ways You Can Assist Our Students in Homeless Situations

  35. Making a Difference • Within the school district • Between the school district and the larger community Coordination & Collaboration

  36. Making a Difference

  37. Making a Difference • You identify a student who needs homeless services Contact Me When . . . • Assistance is needed with • immunizations and/or medical • records • Choice of schools requires • dispute resolution

  38. Making a Difference • At the time ofenrollment • When a student isleaving your school • Whencommunicatingwith homeless students and their families Ways Can Assist Our Students in Homeless Situations You

  39. Upcoming Event “Promoting a Positive Climate in a Place Called School” Conference August 7, 2007 Baker High School Presented by Frank Charles Winstead

  40. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of homelessness.

  41. Contact Information • Larissa Dickinson, LGSW lndickinson@mcpss.com 251-221-4283 • Denise Riemer, LCSW driemer@mcpss.com 251-221-4279 • Emergency Calls 251-221-4276 Homeless Education Social Workers

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