Homeless Students and the Expenditure of Title I Part A Funds Rebecca Derenge, N&D Coordinator

McKinney –Vento Act and the Required Coordination with Title I, Part A Addressed in NCLB Section 1113(c)(3) Districts receiving Title I Part A funds are required to set aside funding to address the needs of identified homeless students in both Title I and non Title I schools LEA Title I strategic plans must address coordination with the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act

Mandatory Reservation of Funds According to Title I, Part A, LEAs must reserve (or set aside) such funds as are necessary to provide comparable services to homeless children who are not attending Title I schools. [20 USC6313(c)(3)] In determining appropriate expenditures for the funds set aside for homeless students, it is important to note that comparable services do not mean services that are necessarily identical to other Title I, Part A, services. In determining the set-aside amount, LEAs should allow for the provision of services to homeless students who attend Title I schools that will meet the unique needs of these children above and beyond t he regular Title I programs at those schools.

Determining the Set-Aside Method #1 Based on last year’s cost data and homeless population changes Method #2 Homeless student count and multiply by Title I, Part A per pupil allocation. Method #3 Reserve an amount of funds greater than or equal to the amount of the LEA McKinney-Vento subgrant. Method #4 % based on district’s poverty level or total Title I Part A allocation.

Method #1 Method #1: Identify homeless students’ needs, and fund accordingly. Based on last year’s expenditures for homeless students, determine the Title I set-aside, taking into account any changes anticipated in the population of homeless students.

Method #2 Method #2: Obtain count of homeless students and multiply by the average amount of the Title I, Part A per-pupil allocation. Example: Your district identifies 10 children as homeless, using the McKinney-Vento definition. Your average Title I, Part A per-pupil allocation is $600. The LEA could comply with the set-aside requirement by reserving $6,000 ($600 per-pupil allocation x 10 students).

Method #3 Method #3: Reserve an amount of funds greater than or equal to the amount of the LEA McKinney-Vento subgrant.

Method #4 Method #4: Reserve a specific percentage based on the district’s poverty level or total Title I, Part A allocation. For example, a district might set aside between 1 percent and 5 percent of its total allocation, depending on the district’s poverty level and the total district Title I Part A allocation.

Eligibility for Services Homeless students are: Automatically eligible for services under Title I, Part A Not required to live in a Title I school attendance area Recognized as a population of disadvantaged students Not required to meet the academic standards required of other children for eligibility of Title I services

Services Provide services to eligible homeless students in both Title I and non-Title I schools Ensure services are comparable to services provided to non- homeless students in Title I schools Ensure services provided assist homeless children in meeting the State's challenging academic content and academic achievement standards May provide academic support services to children in shelters

Types of Services The LEA has the discretion to use reserved funds to provide a homeless student with services that are not ordinarily provided to other Title I students and that are not available from other sources.

Types of Services and Expenditures Acceptable uses of the Title I Part A funds set aside to address the needs of homeless include the following items: Clothing Personal care items School supplies-above what is provided by the district Tutoring-above what is provided by the school the student is attending Counseling-above what is provided by the school the student is attending Additional parent trainings for parents in homeless situations Additional LEA homeless liaison (must be in addition to the LEA attendance director)

Unallowable Expenditures LEAs may NOT use funds under Title I to transport homeless students to or from their school of origin. Transportation services to the school of origin are mandated under the McKinney-Vento Act’s statute. “no-supplanting” The “no-supplanting” provisions in Title I prohibit those funds from being used to support activities that the LEA would otherwise be required to provide.

Q/A Is there a time limit on how long a child may be considered homeless? No Whether a child meets the definition of homelessness depends upon the living situation and individual circumstances.

Q/A If a homeless child becomes permanently housed during a school year, is that child eligible to receive Title I, Part A services for the remainder of that school year? Yes In general, a homeless child or youth that becomes permanently housed during a school year continues to remain eligible for Title I, Part A services for the remainder of that school year.

Q/A Does a State’s academic assessment system need to include homeless students? Yes The final regulations that implemented changes to the standards and assessment requirements of Title I, Part A require States to include homeless students in their academic assessment, reporting, and accountability systems, consistent with section 1111(b)(3)(C)(xi) of the ESEA. Assessments of homeless students are to be included in school district or in State accountability systems when students have been in a school for a full academic year. However, States are not required to disaggregate, as a separate category, the assessment results of homeless students.

Q/A Must students who experience homelessness have access to educational services for which they are eligible? Yes Students who experience homelessness must have access to educational services for which they are eligible. This includes services such as special education, programs for English learners, gifted and talented programs, voc./tech. programs, and school nutrition programs.

Strategies to Facilitate Coordination and Collaboration Between Title I and the McKinney-Vento Act Ensure that LEA local liaisons attend Title I conferences and in-services, and that Title I coordinators attend homeless education conferences and in-service professional development. Ensure collaboration between local Title I coordinators and LEA local liaisons on a plan that identifies ways that Title I will serve children and youth experiencing homelessness. Ensure collaboration between the State Title I coordinator and the State McKinney-Vento coordinator on the State Title I plan or the State consolidated plan.

Strategies to Facilitate Coordination and Collaboration Between Title I and the McKinney-Vento Act Share Title I and Homeless Education handbooks with other program staff. Collect and share within and across districts concrete data on the needs of children and youth in homeless situations. Initiate district efforts to make organizational accommodations for eligible students, as necessary, in such areas as transportation, remaining in the school of origin, records transfer, class scheduling, and special services that will help them enroll, attend, and succeed in school.

Strategies to Facilitate Coordination and Collaboration Between Title I and the McKinney-Vento Act  Ensure that the needs of highly mobile students are included in the school improvement plans and not addressed as a separate issue.  Establish and widely disseminate information on district-wide policies, procedures, and guidelines to identify and serve eligible students.  Ensure LEA homeless liaison representation on the State Committee of Practitioners.  Include homeless parents in Title I parental involvement policies and create opportunities for homeless parents to be involved. Symposium on Homeless Education and Title I - Hosted by U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) 2001

Essential Actions to Improve a Homeless Student’s Chances for Success Educate the LEA staff and community Coordinate services among programs and agencies Advocate for the personal and academic needs of homeless students Communicate with partners and the community

Thank you for your attention! Identify and support homeless students! Title I, Part A and McKinney-Vento Act