Immediate Enrollment
McKinney-Vento students have the right to attend school even if they do not have a permanent address or other necessary documentation. School selection for McKinney-Vento students can be a bit different than for other students, as their housing situation may change frequently, making it difficult to attend the same school for the entire school year.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, school districts are required to provide McKinney-Vento students with immediate enrollment in the school of origin or the local attendance area school, whichever is in the best interest of the student. The school of origin is the school the student attended when they became homeless or the school they attended last if they became homeless between school years. If it is in the best interest of the student to attend the local attendance area school, the school district must provide transportation to and from the school.
School districts should consider the best interest of the student when determining which school to enroll them in. Factors that should be considered include:
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The impact on the student's education, including the length of the commute, the quality of the school, and the availability of resources and support services.
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The student's preference, if possible.
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The parent or guardian's preference, if possible.
Overall, the goal is to ensure that McKinney-Vento students have access to a stable education and the necessary resources and support services, regardless of their housing situation.
AERIES: Homeless Program Enrollment
Student information systems (SIS) play a critical role in ensuring that homeless students are identified and provided with the necessary support services. SIS have protocols in place to input and track students within homeless subgroups, such as those covered under the McKinney-Vento Act. These protocols include designating a staff member to act as the homeless liaison, who is responsible for identifying and tracking homeless students, and ensuring that they receive services to which they are entitled. Within HLPUSD stakeholders such as, School Office Managers, Attendance Clerks, Counselors, and Administrators perform this function.