McKinney-Vento Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness

The federal McKinney Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act and Texas state law (Texas Education Code Chapter 25) protect the right for homeless children and youth to receive a free and appropriate public education.

Due to Economic Hardship, a student can enroll in school if they live:

• in a house or an apartment of a friend or family member (“doubled-up” with more than one family);
• in a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter, or transitional living program); 
• in a motel, hotel, or weekly-rate housing;
• in an abandoned building or a car, at a campground, or on the street;
• in temporary foster care if the relative/friend/guardian is lacking fixed, regular, and/or adequate housing;
• in substandard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or no heat); or
• with friends or family who are not your parent or legal guardian because you are a runaway or an unaccompanied youth.

What are your rights? Homeless children and youth have the right to:

• attend the school in which you were last enrolled, even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance zone or district, if feasible and in the student’s best interest;
• receive transportation from your current residence back to your school of origin (if it is in the best interest of the student, i.e. does not have to travel far);
• qualify automatically for Child Nutrition Programs (Free and Reduced-Price Lunch and other district food programs);
• participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible; 
• contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process; and
• receive assistance with school supplies, clothing, tutoring and locating outside counseling resources.

Tips and Recommendations

• Keep a copy of birth certificates and school records accessible.
• Safeguard all health and immunization records.
• Have a reliable person keep a second copy of birth certificates, school records, and health information.
• Enroll children in school as soon as possible.
• Inform the new school about any special education and/or special program (G/T, EB, 504, MTSS, etc.) records that pertain to your child.

You are encouraged to inform the district if you or your child is experiencing homelessness. District staff can share resources with you that may be able to assist you and your family.

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 GF - Public Complaints (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.

For more information on services for homeless students, contact the school counselor.