ENROLLING HOMELESS CHILDREN

 


Information for Administrators and Enrolling Staff


 

Under the federal Stewart B. McKinney Act and Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act homeless children have the following rights:

1.   Immediate Enrollment -The right to be enrolled immediately in school, without medical or academic records, regardless of district policy.

2.   Choice of Schools -The homeless child has three choices:

        School of Origin-
                    The School the child last attended.

        School of Origin-
                    The school the child attended when he/she became homeless

        The school closest to the shelter or other temporary housing

3.   Transportation - Homeless children are entitled to the same rights to transportation as other children in their district.  School districtsare responsible for transportation costs.  If the school of origin is in another district, the two districts must agree on how to divide the responsibility and cost, or they must share the responsibility and cost equally.

4.   Services - Homeless children are entitled to the same services, such as tutoring, that are available to other children in their districts.  They are also automatically eligible for Title I services.  Districts must set aside funds as necessary to provide services.

5.   Dispute Resolution - If problems arise between the school and parents or between districts, the parent shall be referred to an ombudsperson in each Regional Office of Education.  In the meantime, the child must remain in school and receive transportation.

 


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This page was last updated November 08, 2006 02:00 PM