Note: For more information regarding support services for students experiencing homelessness, including provisions regarding district liaisons and transition services, see FFC.

  1. Continue the child's education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness:
    1. If the child's family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; and
    2. For the remainder of the academic year, if the child becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or
  2. Enroll the child in any school that nonhomeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child is actually living are eligible to attend.
  1. Presume that keeping the child in the school of origin is in the child's best interest, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the child's parent or guardian, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth;
  2. Consider student-centered factors related to the child's best interest, including factors related to the impact of mobility on achievement, education, health, and safety of children who are homeless, giving priority to the request of the child's parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth;
  3. If, after conducting the best interest determination based on consideration of the presumption in item 1 above and the student-centered factors in item 2 above, the district determines that it is not in the child's best interest to attend the school of origin or the school requested by the parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth, provide the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth with a written explanation of the reasons for its determination, in a manner and form understandable to such parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, including information regarding the right to appeal as set forth at Enrollment Disputes, below; and
  4. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, ensure that the homeless liaison [see FFC] assists in placement and enrollment decisions under these provisions, gives priority to the views of such unaccompanied youth, and provides the notice to such youth of the right to appeal as set forth at Enrollment Disputes, below.
  1. Is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic record, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, or other document; or
  2. Has missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness.
  1. The child shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought, pending final resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals;
  2. The parent or guardian of the child or an unaccompanied youth shall be provided with a written explanation of any decisions related to school selection or enrollment made by the district, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to appeal such decisions.
  3. The parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth shall be referred to the homeless liaison [see FFC], who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute; and
  4. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in the school in which the youth seeks enrollment pending resolution of such dispute.
  1. Transportation services;
  2. Educational services for which the child meets the eligibility criteria;
  3. Programs in career and technical education;
  4. Programs for gifted and talented students; and
  5. School nutrition programs.
  1. The provision of services with local social services agencies and other agencies or entities providing services to children who are homeless and their families; and
  2. Transportation, transfer of school records, and other interdistrict activities with other local educational agencies.
  1. Ensure that children who are homeless are promptly identified and have access to, and are in reasonable proximity to, available education and related support services; and
  2. Raise the awareness of school personnel and service providers of the effects of short-term stays in a shelter and other challenges associated with homelessness.
  • AID—Federal Accountability Standards
  • CNA—Student Transportation
  • EHBD—Federal Title I Programs
  • FB—Equal Educational Opportunities
  • FD—Admissions
  • FFAB—Immunizations
  • FFC—Student Support Services
  • FL—Student Records
  • FP—Student Fees, Fines, and Charges

WESTPHALIA ISD

FDC(LEGAL)-P

UPDATE 121

DATE ISSUED: 5/13/2023

Adopted: Date not found

Liaison for Homeless Students

The Superintendent shall designate an appropriate staff person as the District liaison for students who are homeless. [See FFC]

The liaison shall receive and provide to appropriate staff members professional development regarding services required by law to identify and meet the needs of students who are homeless. In addition, the liaison shall regularly review with campus admissions personnel the laws and administrative procedures applicable to students who are homeless.

Admissions

The District shall not stigmatize or segregate a student who is homeless.

The principal and campus admissions staff shall notify the liaison for homeless students within one school day of admission of a student who is homeless.

Enrollment in School of Origin

In determining the best interest of the student for the purpose of continuing the student's education in the school of origin, as defined by law, the District shall presume that keeping the student in his or her school of origin is in the student's best interest, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth. The District shall also consider the best interests of the student with regard to the impact of moving schools on the student's achievement, education, health, and safety, including such relevant factors as:

Continuity of instruction;

Age and grade placement of the student;

Distance of the commute and its impact on the student's education or special needs;

Personal safety of the student;

The student's eligibility and need for any specialized services and supports, such as Section 504, special education and related services, or bilingual or English as a second language services;

Length of anticipated stay in a temporary shelter or other temporary location, if applicable;

Likely area of the family's or youth's future housing;

Time remaining in the school year; and

School placement of siblings.

Services, including transportation, that the District is required to provide shall not be considered in determining the student's school of attendance.

Continuation of Transportation

The District shall provide transportation to a student who is homeless to and from the school of origin, as provided by law. If such a student ceases to be homeless and if requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, the District shall continue to provide transportation to and from the school of origin through the end of the school year. [See CNA]

Dispute Resolution Process

If the District determines that it is not in the student's best interest to attend the school of origin or the requested school, the District shall provide a written explanation, in a manner and form that is understandable to the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, of the reasons for the decision, including the right to appeal.

If the student, parent, or guardian has a complaint about eligibility, school selection, or enrollment decisions made by the District, that person shall use the complaint resolution procedures set out in FNG(LOCAL), beginning at Level Two. The District shall expedite local timelines in the District's complaint process, when possible, for prompt dispute resolution.

Pending final resolution of the dispute, the District shall immediately enroll the homeless student in the school in which enrollment is sought and permit the student to attend classes, receive the requested services, and participate fully in school activities.

When the principal becomes aware of a complaint, he or she shall notify the liaison for homeless students within one school day. At all times during the dispute resolution process, the liaison for homeless students or designee shall accompany and assist the student, parent, or guardian.

[See FNG(LOCAL) for all other complaints.]

WESTPHALIA ISD

FDC(LOCAL)-A

UPDATE 105

DATE ISSUED: 7/4/2016