Transcript HomelessEduUnderESSA

Overview of
McKinney-Vento
Homeless Education
Under ESSA
Office for the Education of Homeless
Children and Youth
March 2016
Purpose of the Webinar
To alert districts to some of the changes that
are going into effect this summer
particularly as they impact children’s access
to education.
Ground rule:
please no individual cases during the webinar.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Effective Dates
Amendments to McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act Effective July 1st 2016
Amendments to ESEA Effective 2017/2018
Homeless students are written into several parts of
ESEA
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Definitions
School of origin
Means the school that a child or youth attended
when permanently housed or the school in
which the child or youth was last enrolled,
including preschool.
When the child or youth completes the final grade
level served by the school of origin…, the term
“school of origin” shall include the designated
receiving school at the next level; for all feeder
schools.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Any questions regarding
the effective date or
school of origin?
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Definitions
Homelessness
Anyone who lacks fixed regular and adequate
nighttime residence; including children:
• sharing the housing of other due to loss of housing,
economic hardship or similar reason
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters or
abandoned in hospitals
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces…
• and migratory children living in any of the above.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Awaiting foster care
Awaiting foster care moves to Title 1 part A
“By not later than one year after the date of
enactment…” (Dec 10, 2016)
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Foster Care
LEA will designate a point of contact
Transportation for children in foster care
 The LEA will have procedures in place to ensure
transportation to maintain the child’s school of origin if
it is in the child’s best interest
 If there are additional costs the LEA will provide
transportation if …
• The child welfare agency agrees to reimburse the LEA,
• The LEA agrees to pay for the transportation itself or
• The two agencies agree to share the cost.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Any questions regarding
the definition of homelessness?
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Rights of
homeless children and youth
School selection
 Presumes enrollment in the school of origin is in the
child’s best interest
 Parent’s decision, parent’s right to appeal
Transportation
 Duration of homelessness and thru June of the year
housed
 Including preschoolers
 We will continue to use the guidelines
• one hour K to 12
• 45 minutes for preschool and kindergarten
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Rights of
homeless children and youth
Immediate enrollment
Including youth who are out of school
Access to all activities including summer school,
extracurricular activities…..
Credit accrual for partially completed work
College and career counseling, assistance with
the FASFA and verification of homelessness
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Rights of
homeless children and youth
Living arrangements are protected under
FERPA and now McKinney-Vento.
 “shall be treated as student education record and shall
not be deemed to directory information”
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Any questions regarding
the rights of
homeless children and youth?
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Role of the
Homeless Education Liaison
Reauthorization strengthens the role of the
homeless liaison
 “will designated an appropriate staff person, able to
carry out the duties described”
 Must receive and provide professional development
 Engage with Head Start
 Support unaccompanied homeless youth
 Public notice and refer homeless families to services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Future updates:
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Webinars later this spring
Website
ESE Advisories posted early July
Training late September/October
Newsletter
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Any questions?
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office for the Education of
Homeless Children and Youth
Sarah Slautterback, State Coordinator
781-338-6330
Elizabeth Harris, Student Support
781-338-6310
Webpage: http://www.doe.mass.edu/mv/
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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