Can schools refuse to enroll a homeless child/youth?
According to federal law (McKinney Vento), homeless students are to be enrolled immediately. Any dispute regarding their homeless status is to be resolved after enrollment. No proof is required. Homeless students living or not living with their parent or guardian may enroll themselves in school. The section of the McKinney Act, known as the school choice provision, requires that each homeless child be allowed to maintain enrollment in the school the child attended before becoming homeless, or to enroll in the school where the child is now located while experiencing homelessness. Students may enroll in their “school or origin”, even if they no longer reside in that school’s attendance zone. “School of origin” is defined as “the school the child attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the child was last enrolled”. Inability to prove residency cannot be used to deny educational services for a homeless student.
Related Questions
- If a homeless child is living in one district or attendance area and attending school in another district or attendance area, how do schools in Pennsylvania provide transportation?
- Is there a time limit on how long a child or youth can be considered homeless?
- What is the definition of a homeless child/youth?
