The Educational Rights of Students in Temporary Housing

1. 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 funded by a grant from the New York State Education Dept. Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

2. Segments in PowerPoint Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

3. 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

4. Barriers for Those in Temporarily Housing • Enrollment requirements- Residency, school records, immunizations, legal guardianship, etc. • High mobility- Lack ofeducational 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Examples of Temporary Housing • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, etc. • Living in motels, hotels, parks, camp grounds, etc. • Living in emergency or transitional shelters • Abandonedin 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

8. 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

9. What Rights Does McKinney-Vento Provide? Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

10. 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

11. 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

12. How Long Can Student Stay in the Selected School? Available: Buses Gas Cards Transport Agreements • Entire time student is homeless AND • Through the remainder of the school year, even if the student moves into permanent housing • Transportation provided when • Within district/building of origin, • District/building most recently attended, • Within reasonable distance, and • Same for all students. Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

13. Free & Reduced School Meals • All students identified as homeless are entitled to FREEmeals. • 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

14. Unaccompanied Youth Defined As • Not in physical custody of parent • Meets definition of homeless • Not needing adult to enroll New federal guidelines are available. Availability of permanent housing does not affect eligibility under McKinney-Vento. Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

15. Special Services Educational services & programs must be equitably available to all students : • Special Education • RtI & Intervention Services • Core & Elective Courses • Gifted & Talented • Extra Curricular • Pre-School • Etc. 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. Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011

16. For Our Students & Families, We… TO CONTAC T THE DISTRICT LIAISON OFFICER, PLEASE CALL 1-231-348-2352. District McKinney-Vento information & other resources are available at: http://www.petoskeyschools.org/tlc/admin/homeless/index.htm. Public Schools of Petoskey 2010-2011