Poverty - Homeless Students Dr. James Francis TDOE – Homeless Education August 30, 2012

1. Poverty - Homeless Students Dr. James Francis TDOE – Homeless Education August 30, 2012 tn.gov/education Facebook.com/tennesseeEducation Twitter: @TNedu

2. You Are Amazing! • First To The Top • New Evaluations • CCSS • Students Continue to Learn at High Levels • THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO!

3. Agenda • Poverty – Barriers to Learning – Impact • Quick Facts • McKinney-Vento Act – Title X • Consolidated Application • Q and A

4. Test Your Knowledge • How many children are born into poverty everyday? • What is the name of the law and what is the definition for homeless students and youth? • How many K-12 students are homeless in the United States? • In Tennessee? Your district? • What is the percent of homeless students proficient/advanced in the United States in LA and Math? • In Tennessee? Your district? • What is the foreclosure rate, unemployment rate and poverty rate in your district?

5. Economically Disadvantaged “Children from low-income families, whether homeless or housed, face an array of chronic strains and acute negative life events from the broader conditions of poverty….When viewed in the context of a much broader range of adversities, it is apparent that homelessness is but one of many stressors that children living in poverty all too frequently encounter.”

6. Tennessee Children Living in Poverty

7. Quick National Facts • 1 child born into poverty every 33 seconds -2618 • 60% of Americans – 1 yr. below poverty • 15% of all Americans live in poverty • 1 in 5 are children • 2 million fall victim to the foreclosure crises next two yrs. • 37% rural homeless population is between the ages of 18 and 24, compared to 13% of the urban population • 57% of rural homeless are part of a family (versus 45% of urban homeless)

8. Quick Facts – U.S. and Tennessee • 1.5 million children are homeless (U.S.) • 1,065,794 K-12 Students (U.S. 2010-2011) • 19,820 est. (TN) • 13,968 (TN)

9. Student Numbers in Tennessee

10. Tennessee’s First to the Top Goals The Numbers 3rd Grade TCAP Reading – 13,597 7th Grade TCAP Math – 16,610 HS Graduation Rate – 5,545 Postsecondary – increase by – 5,579 10

11. Research shows that homeless children are more likely to suffer from: (Double Jeopardy, by Donald Hernandez) • 2.5X more likely to perform below grade level in math • 1.5X more … in reading • 1.5X more … in spelling • 47% - anxiety, depression & withdrawal • 36% experience delinquent or aggressive behavior • 98% of best 3rd grade readers graduate from HS

12. Effects of Homelessness on Students • 4X – Delayed Development • 2X – Learning Disabilities • 3X – Emotional and Behavioral Issues • More likely to repeat a grade, be placed in special education, fail academically • Drop out - 25% Graduate from high school

13. From Homeless to ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liTZlYpkdoo Dawn Loggins

14. Effects Continued • 83% exposed to at least one violent event by the age of 12 • 25% witnessed family violence • 4X more often to be sick • 4X as many respiratory infections • 2X as many ear infections **** • 5X more gastrointestinal problems • 2X more likely to experience hunger • 3X Emotional and behavioral problems

15. Reading and Math Proficient/Advanced

16. Samantha Garvey http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/01/samantha_garveys_incredible_story_0119.php

17. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Reauthorized in 2002 as Title X of NCLB • Main themes: • School stability • School access • Support for academic success • Child-centered focus • Decision making in the best interest of child • State Laws • State Board Guidelines

18. District Responsibilities • Districts • Appoint a Local Homeless Education Liaison • Remove barriers, including revising district policy • Ensure compliance with Title X, Part C

19. Local Liaisons Must • Ensure that children and youth in homeless situations are identified by school personnel and through coordination activitieswith other entities and agencies. • Students experiencing homelessness enroll, attend, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school. • Families, children, and youth experiencing homelessness receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start, Even Start, and preschool programs administered by the LEA; and referrals to health, mental health, dental, and other appropriate services.

20. The Roles of Local Liaisons Continued Local liaisons must ensure that: • Parents or guardians of students experiencing homelessness are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children. • Public notice of the educational rights of students in homeless situations is disseminated where children and youth receive services. • Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the Enrollment Disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act. • Parents, guardians and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness are fully informed of all transportation services available under the McKinney-Vento Act, including transportation to the school of origin, and are assisted in accessing these services.

21. Identifying Homeless Students • Lacks a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”: • Doubled-up (living with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship – not by choice) • Motels, hotels, campgrounds, trailers (lack of alternative) • Emergency or transitional shelters • Public or private place not designed for human living • Cars, parks, substandard housing, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations • Migrant children fitting the definition

22. Unaccompanied Youth • Definition: “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” • Living situation meets homeless definition • Eligible for services under McKinney-Vento regardless of reason for separation • Ran away • Forced to leave home • All protections and rights under the McKinney-Vento Act, including immediate enrollment, apply

23. Student Rights • Immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork • School selection • School of origin (if feasible) • Local school • Transportation to/from school of origin • Comparable services • Prohibition of segregation • Public posting of rights • Free school meals • Title I, Part A support • Special education, where deemed necessary (IDEA)

24. Barriers to Education for Homeless Children & Youth • Enrollment requirements (lack of school records, immunizations, proof of residence and guardianship) • High mobility resulting in lack of school stability and educational continuity • Lack of school supplies, clothing, etc. • Lack of access to programs • Lack of transportation • Poor health, fatigue, hunger • Prejudice and misunderstanding

25. Consolidated Application • Being specific/how funds impact S.A. • Transportation • Fees • Immunization

26. Food For Thought • Are you micro targeting students? • Are you measuring the impact of federal funds? • Improving Student Achievement • Implementing CCSS • Impacting Teacher Effect Data • Meeting AMOs/ACT/SAT • What impact are your federal funds having on improving student achievement? How do you know? • Answer this question: Based on evidence and data describe how your Title I, Part A funds impact student achievement, close the achievement gap(s) and assist the district in meeting their AMOs?

27. Evaluation of Instructional Initiatives for 2012-2013 School Year

28. Transportation Title IA setaside funds cannot be used to supplant other federal, state or local funds. So, Title I funds may not be used to provide transportation for homeless students to and from the school of origin during the school day (mandated under MV). Neither can school districts use Title I funds for programs or services that state laws or policies require districts to provide.

29. Tennessee – A Fee Waiver State! • 49-2-114.  Waiver of school fees. (a) LEAs shall establish, pursuant to rules promulgated by the state board of education, a process by which to waive all school fees for students who receive free or reduced price school lunches. (b) "School fees" means:(1) Fees for activities that occur during regular school hours;(2) Fees for activities and supplies required to participate in all courses offered for credit or grade;(3) Fees or tuition applicable to courses taken during the summer by a student, except that nonresident students regularly enrolled in another school system may be required to pay fees or tuition for such summer courses; and(4) Fees required for graduation ceremonies.

30. State Laws • Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-110  (2012) Student activity funds (c) The school shall not require any student to pay a fee to the school for any purpose, except as authorized by the board of education, and no fees or tuitions shall be required of any student as a condition to attending the public school or using its equipment while receiving educational training.

31. Immunization • Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-5001(g) • 136 LEAs reported 465 students enrolled without immunization. • The average time to be immunized or obtain immunization records ranged from 1 – 180 days, with 3 LEAs reporting never receiving records.

32. Types of Services • Items of clothing, particularly if necessary to meet a school’s dress or uniform requirement • Clothing and shoes necessary to participate in physical education classes • Student fees that are necessary to participate in the general education program • Personal school supplies such as backpacks and notebooks • Birth certificates necessary to enroll in school • Immunizations • Food • Medical and dental services • Eyeglasses and hearing aids

33. Types of Services Continued • Counseling services to address anxiety related to homelessness that is impeding learning • Outreach services to students living in shelters, motels, and other temporary residences • Extended learning time (before and after school, Saturday classes, summer school) to compensate for lack of quiet time for homework in shelters or other overcrowded living conditions • Tutoring services, especially in shelters or other locations where homeless students live • Parental involvement specifically oriented to reaching out to parents of homeless students • Fees for AP, IB, SAT/ACT testing • GED testing for school-age students

35. Why we do what we do… “…Through it all, school is probably the only thing that has kept me going. I know that every day that I walk in those doors, I can stop thinking about my problems for the next six hours and concentrate on what is most important to me. Without the support of my school system, I would not be as well off as I am today. School keeps me motivated to move on, and encourages me to find a better life for myself.” Carrie Arnold, LeTendre Scholar, 2002

36. Resources • NCHE website: www.serve.org/nche • NCHE helpline: 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org • Other national organizations:NAEHCY (www.naehcy.org)NLCHP (www.nlchp.org)

37. State Contact Information James Francis, Ed.D. 615-253-5210 james.francis@tn.govTennessee Department of Education New Contact: Paula Gaddis Paula.gaddis@tn.gov

38. QUESTIONS? I trust you will bless those around you in 2012-2013! Thank You!