1. 2011-2012 Eagle Mountain – Saginaw ISD Title I, Part A and McKinney-Vento Provisions

2. The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District is committed to ensuring that homeless children and youth have access to a quality education in our public schools. All campuses have a Homeless Education Liaison to assist families in need of information and assistance. All of our schools can help ease the difficulties encountered by homeless families.

3. Provide training and awareness activities on the definition and signs of homeless for school and district staff, including administrators, bus drivers, counselors, nurses, registrars, secretaries, teachers, and truancy officers. Coordinate with community and health services Provide outreach materials and posters Educate school staff about “warning signs” that may indicate an enrolled child or youth may be experiencing homelessness Make special effort to identify preschool children, including siblings of school-aged children Develop relationships with truancy officials or attendance secretaries Use enrollment and withdrawal forms to inquire about living situations Have students draw or write about where they live Avoid using the word “homeless” in initial contacts with school personnel, families, and youth

4. For many years, our image of a homeless person was that of a single, older man.

5. The Reality

6. Defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools

7. The term “homeless children and youth” according to the U.S. Department of Education: (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence… (B) includes—  children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason  motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations  living in emergency or transitional shelters or housing

8.  abandoned in hospitals  awaiting foster care placement  Migratory children staying in housing nor fit for habitation  Children/youth living on the street  Doubled up with family or friend due to economic conditions  Living in motels and hotels for lack of other suitable housing  Runaway and “Throwaway” children/youth

9.  children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings…  children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings  Unaccompanied youth

10. The McKinney Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling and allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act also states: Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing. Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year.

11. Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records. Homeless students have a right to transportation to school. Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or enrollment.

12. School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students. Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families frequent. School districts must identify a McKinney - Vento Liaison to assist students.

13. Every LEA must designate a liaison for students in homeless situations Responsibilities: Ensure children /youth in homeless situations are identified Ensure homeless students enroll in and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school Link with educational services, including preschool and health services Inform parents/guardians, or youth of educational and parent involvement opportunities Post public notice of educational rights Resolve disputes Inform parents/ guardians, or youth of transportation services, including to the school of origin

14. Enrolling schools must obtain school records from the previous school, and students must be enrolled in school while records are being obtained. Schools have ten days to send records. Thirty days to receive immunizations record or start the process. Schools must maintain records for students who are homeless so they are available quickly.

15. Lack of transportation to or from temporary housing Lack of records immunization and medical records school records birth certificates Local/state/legal guardianship/residency requirements Attendance policies Secondary school credit accrual

16. Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing If a student becomes homeless in between academic years, he or she may continue in the school of origin for the following academic year

17. The District must provide homeless students with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent’s/guardian’s request If the student’s temporary residence and the school of origin are in the same district, the district must provide transportation; if the student is living outside of the school of origin’s district, the district where the student is living and the school of origin’s district must determine how to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they must share the cost equally

18. The district will develop a contract between parent/guardian and transportation department Include important information regarding pick up & drop off points and times Bus Driver’s contact information Parent/Guardian contact information

19. Students who experience homelessness must have access to educational services for which they are eligible including all special programs as well as the school nutrition programs Undocumented children/youth have the same right to attend public school as U.S. citizens and are covered by the McKinney - Vento Act USDA policy permits homeless liaisons to obtain free school meals for students by providing a list of names of students experiencing homelessness with effective dates

20. Free breakfast and lunch programs Possible transportation assistance for children to remain in their home school Tutoring programs Programs to help children learn English Gifted and talented programs Summer school programs Pre-school programs Homeless assistance programs School supplies

21. Title I, Part A, of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) provides financial assistance through State Educational Agencies (SEAs)to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs or school districts) and public schools with high numbers or percentages of disadvantaged children to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic achievement standards. Title I is designed to support state and local school reform efforts tied to challenging state academic standards in order to reinforce efforts to improve teaching and learning for students struggling to meet state standards.

22. Many challenges faced by homeless students are addressed within the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; however, Title I, Part A, is also in the position to play a significant role in the academic achievement of homeless children and youth. For this reason, Congress included specific provisions related to students experiencing homelessness with Title I, Part A.

23. Homeless students are part of Title I, Part A’s target population of disadvantaged students; however, the high mobility, trauma, and poverty associated with homelessness create unique educational barriers and challenges that non-homeless Title I students may not face. Homelessness is associated with lower standardized test scores and a higher likelihood of missing school and/or experiencing multiple school transfers. Thus, homeless students often require additional supports for academic achievement and success on state assessments.

24. §25.001(b)(5) Admit students that are homeless, regardless of the residence of the student, of either parent of the student, or of the student's guardian or other person For a person under the age of 18 years to establish a separate residence for the purpose of attending the public schools, the person's presence in the school district must not be for the primary purpose of participation in extra curricular activities extra- §25.001(d)

25. Chapter 25 covers enrollment and attendance for all students. Although the entire chapter is important, there are several sections which address specific issues of relevance to children/youth experiencing homelessness. For Texas law that requires school districts to enroll children/youth experiencing homelessness, see 25.001(b)(5). For Texas law that addresses the enrollment and admission of children/youth living separate and apart from parents or legal guardians, see 25.001(d). For Texas law that gives a student 30 days to provide the records necessary for enrollment, including proof of immunization, see 25.002.

26. Homeless children have a right to attend school. You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school. Homeless children have the right to stay in their home school if the parents choose.

27. Your child cannot be denied school enrollment just because school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available. Your child has the opportunity to receive transportation services to and from the school of origin. Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible. Children with special education needs between the ages of 3 and 21 are eligible to receive special needs services. If you believe your child may be eligible, contact Special Education office at 817-232 - 0880.

28. Title I, Part A, funds may not be used to provide services that are required under the McKinney-Vento Act, such as providing transportation to and from the school of origin while a student is experiencing homelessness. However, Title I, Part A, funds may be used to coordinate, supplement, or enhance required services. [20 USC 6315(b)(3)]

29. www.utdanacenter.org/theo http://staffweb.esc12.net/~mbooth/homeles s_education_service/homeless_education_s ervice_homepage.htm http://staffweb.esc12.net/~mbooth/homeles s_education_service/homeless_education_s ervice_homepage.htm http://www.ftwha.org/ staffweb.esc12.net/homeless/homeless_educ ation_service_home...