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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3060 Education of Homeless StudentsSTUDENTS 3060 Page 1 of 4 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 EDUCATION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS Each child of a homeless individual and each homeless child has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other students. Bonneville Joint School District No 93 Board of Trustees will ensure educational rights and protections from discrimination, segregation, and harassment for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Students shall be given a full opportunity to meet state and local academic achievement standards and be included in state and district-wide assessments and accountability systems. All information required by any provision of this policy shall be provided in a form, manner, and language understandable to each parent. Guidelines The district will undertake steps to eliminate barriers to the enrollment, attendance, or success of homeless children and youths in school. This will include removing barriers for students receiving appropriate credit for full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed while attending a prior school or transferring to a new school. Access to Services 1. Homeless students shall automatically have access to services comparable to services offered other students, including but not limited to: a. Transportation services to and from the school of origin if requested by the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth; b. Title I services, regardless of what school the student attends; c. Educational services for which the student meets eligibility criteria including special education, related services and programs for English language learners, or gifted and talented programs; d. Programs in vocational and technical education; e. School nutrition programs (student names shall be submitted to the District’s nutrition office for immediate processing on the day of enrollment); f. Before and after school programs; and g. Priority enrollment in preschool programs operated by the District. 2. School personnel shall inform parents/guardians and unaccompanied youth of educational and related opportunities available. STUDENTS 3060 Page 2 of 4 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Education of Homeless Children 3. Unaccompanied youth shall be given equal access to appropriate secondary education and support services. Enrollment 1. An Open Enrollment application form will not be required for a homeless child or unaccompanied youth whose residence is outside the school boundaries or the District. 2. A homeless child or unaccompanied youth shall be assigned and admitted to a school in the District regardless of residence and irrespective of whether he/she is able to produce records normally required for enrollment including: a. Proof of residency; b. Transcripts/school records; c. Immunizations or immunization/health/medical/physical records; d. Proof of guardianship; e. Birth certificate; f. Any other document requirements; g. Unpaid school fees; h. Lack of uniforms or clothing that conforms to dress codes; and i. Any factor related to the student’s living situation. 3. An unaccompanied youth may either enroll themselves or be enrolled by a parent, non-parent caretaker, older sibling, or liaison. 4. The enrolling school shall immediately obtain school records, such as medical records, proof of residency, immunizations, etc., while the student is attending classes and participating fully in school activities. 5. If a student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the enrolling school shall immediately implement it. 6. A child or youth will be considered in a homeless situation for as long as he or she is in a living situation as described in this policy. Attendance Any tardiness or absences related to a homeless child’s or unaccompanied youth’s living situation shall be excused. Identification 1. Children and youth in a homeless situation in the district, both in and out of school will be identified. STUDENTS 3060 Page 3 of 4 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Education of Homeless Children 2. Data will be collected on the number of children and youth living in a homeless situation in the district; where they are living; their academic achievement; and the reasons for any enrollment delays, interruptions in their education, or school transfers. Notice 1. Public notice regarding the educational rights of children and youth living in a homeless situation will be posted in the District office and in every school in the District. 2. Public notice will be disseminated in other places where children, youth, and families who are in a homeless situation may see the notice. DEFINITIONS Enrollment: means attending school and participating fully in school activities. Homeless Children: are defined as individuals, who are entitled to or eligible for a free public education, including preschool, and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and include children and youths who: 1. Are sharing the residence 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 lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals; 2. Have primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; 3. Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and 4. Are migratory and qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because they are living in circumstances described above (1 through 3). The term “homeless” or “homeless individual” does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of the Congress or a State law. Immediate: without delay Local Attendance Area: means any public school that students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend. STUDENTS 3060 Page 4 of 4 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Education of Homeless Children Local or District Homeless Liaison: the primary contact between homeless families and school staff, district personnel, shelter workers, and other service providers. The liaison coordinates services to ensure that homeless children and youths enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically. Parent/Guardian: means a person having legal or physical custody of a child or youth. School of Origin: means the school the child or youth attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. Unaccompanied Youth: means a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, who is homeless as defined above. Unaccompanied youths include young people who have been denied housing by their families, run away from home, and/or been abandoned by parents or guardians. Adopted: 06-08-2005 Reviewed: Revised: 10-10-2012 11-01-2017 03-11-2020 Cross Reference: Uniform Grievance #4112 Uniform Grievance Concern Form #4112F1 4160 Parents-Guardians Right to Know Notices Legal Reference: Idaho Code § 33-1404 Districts to Receive Pupils Public Law 110-134 Improving Head Start of School Readiness Act of 2007 20 U.S.C. §1400-82 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 20 U. S. C. § 6311, et seq. Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies (Subchapter 1, Part A, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) 42 U. S. C. § 1758 School Lunch Programs – Program Requirements 42 U.S.C. § 11301, et seq. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987