| | | Homeless Program |  | The child's classroom may be the only place where the child can experience quiet, interact with children his/her own age, and experience success...School is the most normal activity that most children experience success collectively....For homeless chidren it is much more than a learning environment. It is a place of safety, personal space, friendships and support. (Oakley & King, in Promising practices for educating homeless students by Stronge & Reed-Victor, 2000)
We know that students do better when they can maintain a regular school. That's why the district is committed to eliminating barriers that limit access to programs and services for students in homeless situations.
The Saint Paul Public Schools Title I Homeless Program is dedicated to maintaining and promoting a consistent education program for students in homeless shelters, motels, living with friends or relatives, waiting placement in foster care or in the community.
It also serves youth who are living on the streets or doubled up with another family because they cannot find affordable housing.
Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students in homeless situations have the right to a free and appropriate public education. Our program ensures homeless students the following educational rights:
* Stay in their school-of-origin, which is the school attended when permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled;
* Enroll in any school which non-homeless students living in the attendance area are eligible to attend;
* Enroll in a new school without immunization, proof of residential status, school records, proof of guardianship or other documents;
* Receive transportation services to their school of origin to the extent feasible;
* Receive services (including transportation, preschool, meals, special education) comparable to those provided to other students; and
* Have their enrollment disputes expeditiously addressed by the homeless district liaison and have the right to attend their school during the dispute resolution process.
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