Every Student Succeeds Act: Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.)
The term “homeless children and youth”:
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1); and includes –
(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals;
(ii) 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 (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C));
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
Who is Homeless? Additional Information
Students' Rights:
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students experiencing homelessness have these rights:
School Selection
Students experiencing homelessness have two school enrollment options — the school of origin or the zoned school in their new location. The school of origin is the school that the student last attended before losing housing. Students who are in homeless situations must remain in their school of origin unless it is against the wishes of the parents or guardians, and only if it is in the best interest of the student. Students may remain in their school of origin the entire time they are experiencing homelessness and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing.
Enrollment
School districts must immediately enroll students who are in homeless situations, even if they do not have required documents, including school records, medical records and proof of residency. It is encouraged to provide these documents as soon as possible after the student is enrolled. For assistance with obtaining such documentation, please contact the HEARTH staff at 863-457-4709.
Transportation
At a parent or guardian’s request, students who are experiencing homelessness must be provided with transportation to and from their school of origin, to the extent feasible. Feasibility is determined by considering the best interest of the student.
Free Meals
Students who are experiencing homelessness automatically qualify for free meals. Immediate eligibility is granted; no formal application is necessary.
Dispute Resolution
Whenever a dispute arises, the student must be admitted immediately to the requested school (school of origin OR zoned school) while the dispute is being resolved. When a determination has been made, the school district must provide the parent or guardian with a written explanation of its school placement decision and the right to appeal.
School Board Policy
5111.01 – CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN TRANSITION (HOMELESS STUDENTS)
http://go.boarddocs.com/fl/polk/Board.nsf/
Additional Information for Parents and Youth
Additional Information for the Community