compliance training for school administrators homeless children & youth: a school district...
TRANSCRIPT
Compliance Trainingfor
SchoolAdministrators
Homeless Children & Youth:
A School District Responds
• Definitions• Academic Achievement• Liaison for Homeless Students• Enrollment • School Selection• Transportation• Dispute Resolution
Highlights: Another View
Federal Law
Defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools
The McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act
Alabama Education Code
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.
290-3-1-.02 Regulations Governing Public Schools.
The McKinney-Vento Act
• Every school district is requiredto have a homeless educationliaison
What You Must Know About The Law:
• The liaison is required by lawto perform specific tasks
The McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are homeless
What You Must Know About The Law:
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”
The McKinney-Vento Act
• Children in migratory families
• Children with parent(s) servingabroad in the military
• Unaccompanied youth not livingwith a parent or legal guardian
Special Considerations
• 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
The McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Act
Educational Stability
• 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
The McKinney-Vento Act
• No documents required
Immediate Access
• Assistance of homeless liaisonin obtaining immunizationsand/or medical records
• Written explanation of decisionin dispute resolutions
Homeless Children in Alabama
10,500+
Current Estimate
Current Estimate
In Mobile
Homeless Children in Alabama
2000+
Where Are Our Homeless Students Living?
8%
70%
1% 3%18%
Shelters
Doubled-Up
Unsheltered
Hotels/Motels
Unknown/OtherResidence Types
• 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
Barriers to Enrollment
• Attendance policiesAttendance policies
• Secondary school Secondary school credit accrualcredit accrual
• Legal guardianship Legal guardianship requirementsrequirements
Youth ages 14 and up face Youth ages 14 and up face additional barriers to school additional barriers to school enrollment, for example:enrollment, for example:
Barriers to Enrollment
• Frequent mobilityFrequent mobility
• Lack of staff awareness Lack of staff awareness and sensitivityand sensitivity
• Inability to complete Inability to complete school assignmentsschool assignments
• Lack of psychological Lack of psychological servicesservices
• Poor health and Poor health and inadequate medical careinadequate medical care
• Physical needs -- food, Physical needs -- food, clothing, health careclothing, health care
Barriers to Academic Success
• 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).
Why School of Origin?
WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUTTHE 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).
WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUTTHE EFFECTS OF MOBILITY
Why School of Origin?
• School of origin . . .if it is requested andfeasible
-- or --• School of residency
Which School Is In A Student’s Best Interest?
Why School of Origin?
• 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
FEASIBILITY - USDE FEASIBILITY - USDE CRITERIACRITERIA
Why School of Origin?
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)]
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.
Transportation
• 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]
RESOLVING ENROLLMENT DISPUTES
Dispute Resolution
• 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)]
Dispute Resolution
RESOLVING ENROLLMENT DISPUTES
• 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)]
Support for Academic Success
SPECIAL SERVICES
• 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)
Support for Academic Success
FREE LUNCH
• 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)]
Support for Academic Success
REFERRALS
• Common problems
• Effects of poverty and homelessness
• Educational needs
• Emotional and social difficulties
Life Is Difficult For Our Homeless Students
Increasing Awareness
Increasing Awareness
• At the time of enrollment
• After a student is enrolledand attending classes
Know The Possible SignsOf Homelessness . . .
Routine inquiries about residency help determine which students might be eligible for assistance because they meet the legal definition of homelessness
Student Residency Questionnaire
Obtaining Student Data
Obtaining Student Data
• Proof of residency• Birth data• School records• Health records and immunizations
Acceptable Documentsafter Enrollment
Uniforms
Major Changes:
• NO uniform closet
• Limited funding to purchase uniforms
Uniforms
• 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
Please Keep In Mind:
Making a Difference
• Direct Assistance
• Indirect Assistance
Ways You Can Assist Our Students in Homeless Situations
• Within the school district
• Between the school districtand the larger community
Coordination & Collaboration
Making a Difference
EnrollmentHousingViolence Preventon
Case Management
ParentInvolvement
FeesSuppliesFree Lunch/Breakfast
TransportationMental Health& Medical
Professional Development
Tutor
6
4
2
0
1=
Lea
st
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d 8=
Gre
ate
st
Ne
ed
5.846 5.857
6.253
4.604
5.769
4.571
5.5275.4295.495
4.4514.593
5.56
Top three greatest needs are indicated in red.
Education of Homeless Children & Youth ProgramNeeds Assessment for 2006-07
Services
Making a Difference
Education of Homeless Children & YouthAcademic Progress School Year 06-07
Quarters 1 & 2
97
80 83
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Elementary Middle High
Grade Level*Does not include Hurricane Katrina Students
Per
cen
tag
e o
f P
assi
ng
Education of Homeless Children & YouthAcademic Progress School Year 06-07
Quarter 3
8577
89
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Elementary Middle High
Grade Level*Does not include Hurricane Katrina Students
Per
cen
tag
e o
f P
assi
ng
• You identify a student whoneeds homeless services
Contact Me When . . .
• Assistance is needed withimmunizations and/or medicalrecords
• Choice of schools requiresdispute resolution
Making a Difference
Making a Difference
• At the time of enrollment
• When a student is leavingyour school
• When communicating withhomeless students and theirfamilies
Ways Can Assist Our Students in Homeless Situations
You
Upcoming Event
“Promoting a Positive Climate in a Place Called School”
Conference
August 7, 2007Baker High School
Presented by Frank Charles Winstead
Education is the Education is the key to breaking the key to breaking the
cycle of cycle of homelessness.homelessness.
Contact Information
• Larissa Dickinson, LGSW [email protected] 251-221-4283
• Denise Riemer, LCSW [email protected] 251-221-4279
• Emergency Calls 251-221-4276
Homeless Education Social Workers