An Overview of Major Issues in the Education of Homeless Children
Through this project schools in Illinios have received information that we hope has been of help in providing educational services to homeless children in their districts. We have synthesized this information into three major categories: The Law (Stewart B. McKinney Education For Homeless Children and Youth); Enrollment and Transportation Issues; and In-School Issues.
THE LAW1. Immediate Enrollment - Homeless children must be admitted immediately, without medical records.
2. Choice of Schools - The family has three options:
School of Origin (school last attended; may be out of district)
School of Origin (school child attended when first lost permanent housing)
School nearest shelter or other temporary housing
3. Right to 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.
ENROLLMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
1. Homeless children have the same rights to transportation as other children in their district (per Article 29 of Illinois School Code.) The Education for Homeless Children Act provides the following:
If choosing a school out of district, the homeless family or shelter shall make a good faith effort to arrange transportation;
If the child attends school in the district where he/she is temporarily housed, the district shall provide transportation;
In a cross-district situation, both districts are responsible for transportation.
2. Enrollment with Sensitivity - Increased awareness of the barriers faced by homeless children is needed by building staff.
3. Identifying the Homeless - Fear of being stigmatized results in a reluctance by many homeless families to be identified. How can the "hidden homeless" be identified?
IN-SCHOOL ISSUES
1. Homeless families lack financial resources for children to participate in before and after-school activities.
2. Homelessness can affect classroom behavior and academic progress. How do teachers recognize these problems and how can they be addressed?
To receive a copy of the Opening Doors packet
(posters, teaching tips and more), contact:Kathy Conrad
c/o ALRC
1855 Mt. Prospect Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: (847) 803-3535
Fax: (847) 803-3231
kconrad@irc-desplaines.orgor contact:
Gary Dickirson
Division of Community & Family Partnerships
Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. First St.
Springfield, IL 62777-0001
Phone: (217) 782-3370
Fax: (217) 782-3370
GDICKIRS@smtp.isbe.state.il.usor contact:
Eileen Worthington
Regional Office of Education #26
130 S. Lafayette - Suite 200
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309) 837-4821
Fax: (309) 837-2887
mworthin@roe26.k12.il.us
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