Education Rights of Students
Who Are Homeless
This site provides information
for families of students who are homeless. Seattle Public Schools
adheres to the definitions of homelessness and addresses the
educational rights of students who are homeless as established in
the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
The menu on the left accesses
additional information and resources.
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District
Policy
It is the policy
of the Seattle School Board that Seattle Public Schools will
provide a free, appropriate education to all eligible students who
live within District boundaries, or who are otherwise eligible to
attend Seattle Public Schools, including children and youth who are
homeless.
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The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act has become Title 10 as a
result of the reauthorization of ESEA as No Child Left Behind. This
act supports the right of students who are homeless to maintain
continuity in their educational experiences and to receive Title 1
services.
Seattle
Public Schools provides access to a free and appropriate education
for all students. Every student who is homeless will have equal
access to the same free, appropriate education and programs
provided to other students. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
has re-authorized the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
providing certain education rights to homeless children and youth.
This Act is used as a guideline for Seattle Public School policy
and procedures regarding the homeless.
Enrollment
Service Centers and the Bilingual Family Center are responsible for
assisting in-coming and out-going students who are homeless with
all requests for assignments and transportation. Students whose
home language is other than English must go to the Bilingual Family
Center.
The district
and/or building level liaisons will work with families who are
homeless to ensure that families are aware of their enrollment
rights and to assist families in accessing services at the
Enrollment Service Centers and/or Bilingual Family Center.
Parents/guardians may go to the Enrollment Service Center that is
most convenient.
Students who
become homeless while attending a Seattle Public School have the
right to continue attending that school no matter where they
currently are living. The district and/or building level liaisons
will work with the Transportation Office to assist families in
obtaining appropriate transportation, if it is needed.
You or
your family are considered "homeless" if you are:
- Living in a shelter,
motel, vehicle, or campground;
- Living on the
street;
- Living in an
abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate
accommodation;
- Doubled up with
friends or relatives because you can't find or afford
housing;
- Waiting for a
foster-care placement
Students who are
homeless have certain rights under Federal law,
including:
- The right to go to
school and receive the services you need, just like other
students;
- The right to continue
in the school you were in before you became homeless, if you want
to;
- The right to continue
in the same school you are in if you are homeless now;
- The right to
transportation to school, according to current District
transportation guidelines;
- The right to enroll
and attend classes without giving a permanent address;
- The right to enroll
and attend classes even if you are missing documents usually
required for enrollment;
- The right to attend
the school of your choice while a dispute over your enrollment is
being resolved, or, if the school district sends your child to a
school other than the school of your choice, you have the right to
a written explanation and the right to appeal that
decision.
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Foster
Children
Foster children who
are awaiting a permanent placement may be considered "homeless". A
draft policy
brief with a careful discussion of when foster children should
be considered "homeless" is available on the OSPI
website.
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or to request specific support for a homeless student,
contact:
Ruth McFadden
District Homeless Liaison
206-252-0822
rmcfadden@seattleschools.org
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Additional information
about homeless services is available through the ESD and Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Puget Sound Education
Service District
Elizabeth Watson
206-439-6921 x4031
Homeless Education Program Coordinator
Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Melinda Dyer
360-725-6050
Program Manager, Homeless Children and Youth
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