THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS REGULATION
INSTRUCTION
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND SECONDARY
Curriculum Extensions

Instruction of Atypical Students -- Homeless – Placement, Enrollment and Transportation

The district is committed to providing school access to all students living in the district, or as otherwise required by law, regardless of the permanence of their residence. This includes homeless children.

Definitions

When used in these Regulations, the following terms shall mean the following:

“Homeless student” means an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes
(i) a student who is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
(ii) a student who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) a student who is living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless.

“School of origin” means the school that the student attended when permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled.

Placement and Enrollment

District personnel will confer with the parent or legal guardian of the student regarding what is in the best interest of the child. Educational placement will be determined from prior records. If prior records are not available, testing will be administered within a reasonable time to ensure appropriate academic placement.

In determining the school assignment of a homeless student, the district shall, according to the student’s best interest:

(a) continue the child’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness when his or her family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year, or

(b) enroll the student in any public school that nonhomeless students who live in the attendance area in which the student is actually living are eligible to attend.

If a homeless student becomes permanently housed during an academic year, the district shall continue his or her education at the school of origin for the duration of the academic year, unless the student or parent requests otherwise.

In determining the child’s best interest, the district shall (i) to the extent feasible, keep a homeless student in the school of origin, even if located in another school district, except when contrary to the child’s or parent’s wishes, and (ii) provide a written explanation, including a statement regarding the right to appeal under these Regulations, if the district sends a child to a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent or guardian, and (iii) in the case of an unaccompanied student, ensure the Homeless Coordinator assists in placement or enrollment decisions, considers the view of the child and advises the child of the right to appeal.

If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment in a school:

(a) the student shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute;

(b) the parent or guardian of the student shall be provided with a written explanation of the school’s decision regarding school selection or enrollment, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or student to appeal the decision;

(c) the student, parent or guardian shall be referred to the Homeless Coordinator, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process described in the St. Louis Public Schools Regulation, R6171.3.3, as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute; and

(d) in the case of an unaccompanied student, the Homeless Coordinator shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of the dispute.

A homeless child shall be enrolled immediately in the school to which they are assigned, even if they are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment.

The District may require a parent or guardian to submit contact information.

Transportation

The District will provide transportation as required by law and at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied student, the Homeless Coordinator), to and from the school of origin. If the school of origin is located outside the District, or the school of origin is inside the District but the student is residing in another school district, the District will agree upon the transportation method and financing with the other district.

References

Legal: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001, 42
U.S.C. 11431 et. seq.

Missouri School Improvement Program Standard 8.1 F.

Regulation approved: December 12, 1995

Revised: September 8, 1998

Revised: December 07, 1999

Revised: September 10, 2002

Revised: May 15, 2008