The Educational Rights of Students in
Temporary Housing
Presented by the
Public Schools of Petoskey
With thanks to NYS-TEACH, a Project of Advocates for Children
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
funded by a grant from the New York State Education Dept.
Segments in PowerPoint
Introduction
General
Overview
Background
Rights & Responsibilities
Key Protections for Students • School Selection
• Dispute Resolution
• Transportation
• Unaccompanied Youth
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Resources
Strategies & Resources
Contact Information
Research on Educational Outcomes
• Over 75% of homeless children read below grade level.
• 36% of homeless children repeat a grade (twice the rate of
other children).
• Students with two or more school changes are half as likely
to be proficient in reading as their peers.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Barriers for Those in Temporarily Housing
• Enrollment requirements- Residency, school
records, immunizations, legal guardianship, etc.
• High mobility- Lack of educational continuity
• Lack of access to programs
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of school supplies, clothing, etc.
• Poor health, fatigue, hunger, etc.
• Prejudice and misunderstanding
McKinney-Vento Attempts to Eliminate Them!
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act
Protecting the Educational Rights of Youth
Federal law: Enacted in 1987 & reauthorized in 2001 (NCLB)
Main Themes:
 School Access
 School Stability
 Academic Success
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Who is Covered Under the
McKinney-Vento Act?
All students who lack a fixed, regular,
& adequate night-time residence
 FIXED: A fixed residence is one that is stationary, permanent, and
not subject to change.
 REGULAR: A regular residence is one which is used on a
predictable or routine basis.
 ADEQUATE: An adequate residence is one that is sufficient
for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically
met in home environments.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Examples of Temporary
Housing
 Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic
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hardship, etc.
Living in motels, hotels, parks, camp grounds, etc.
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
Abandoned in hospitals
Awaiting foster care placement & early/temporary foster care
Living a in public or private place not designed for sleeping
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations, etc.
Migratory living in circumstances described above (e.g., couch surfing)
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Steps for Determining Eligibility
ANALYZE
THE
FACTS:
Does the student’s living
arrangement seem to
fit into one of the previous
examples?
Does the student qualify because
the student’s housing is not fixed,
regular , or adequate?
Still uncertain?
Please call Petoskey’s Liaison
Officer at 348-2352.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
What Rights Does McKinneyVento Provide?
IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT,
CHOICE OF SCHOOLS,
FREE MEALS,
TRANSPORTATION, &
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Immediate Enrollment
Students experiencing homelessness are entitled to
immediate enrollment, even if they do not have:
• Previous school records,
• Medical records (including immunization records),
• Proof of residency,
• A parent or guardianship papers, or
• Birth certificate or other documents normally
required.
IMMEDIATE = NORM FOR THE DISTRICT
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
School Selection
“School selection” means a school
district/building that will be least disruptive to learning:
 School/district attended when last permanently housed
 School/district where last attended
 School/district in the attendance zone where temporarily residing
 School that students (living in the same attendance zone) may attend
Parent, unaccompanied youth, & liaison officer are
encouraged to keep student in school of origin if
best interest, appropriate travel time, and safety
are considered to be prime factors.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
How Long Can Student Stay in the
Selected School?
 Entire time student is homeless AND
 Through the remainder of the school
year, even if the student moves into
permanent housing
 Transportation provided when
Available:
Buses
Gas Cards
Transport Agreements
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Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Within district/building of origin,
District/building most recently attended,
Within reasonable distance, and
Same for all students.
Free & Reduced School Meals
 All students identified as homeless are
entitled to FREE meals.
 A completed application is not required
to receive free meals.
 Principals, secretaries, & the liaison
submit names of student(s) and siblings
in temporary housing to district’s Food
Service Director for State of Michigan
reimbursement.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Unaccompanied Youth
Availability of
permanent housing
 Not in physical custody of parent
does not affect eligibility
 Meets definition of homeless
under McKinney-Vento.
 Not needing adult to enroll
Defined As
New federal guidelines are available.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
Special Services
Educational services & programs
must be equitably available to all
students :
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Special Education
RtI & Intervention Services
Core & Elective Courses
Gifted & Talented
Extra Curricular
Pre-School
Etc.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
School will assign a “surrogate
parent” as needed (e.g., principal,
counselor, liaison officer, or staff member) in
cases where student is:
• a ward of the State/Court or
• an unaccompanied youth.
For Our Students & Families, We…
Include
Awareness
Activities
&
Training.
Coordinate
with
Community
Services.
Use
Outreach
Materials,
Posters, &
Personnel.
Ask
Questions
with
Respect.
Create
Referral
Schemes &
Networks.
Watch for
Warning
Signs in
Students.
Review &
Follow
Policies,
Procedures,
& Practices.
Resolve
Disputes
Timely &
Accurately.
District McKinney-Vento information & other resources
are available at:
http://www.petoskeyschools.org/tlc/admin/homeless/index.htm.
Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011
TO CONTAC T
THE DISTRICT
LIAISON
OFFICER,
PLEASE CALL
1-231348-2352.