The School District of New Berlin shall provide an educational environment that treats all students with dignity and respect. Every student who is homeless shall have equal access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless. This commitment to the educational rights of homeless children, youth, and youth not living with a parent or guardian, applies to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available. Furthermore, The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) emphasizes educational stability for students in out-of-home care (foster care) to ensure positive educational outcomes for this vulnerable population. Under ESSA, this goal is accomplished through collaboration between schools and child welfare agencies.
A student is considered “homeless” if he or she is presently living:
- In a shelter
- Sharing housing with relatives or others due to lack of housing
- In a motel/hotel, camping ground, or similar situation due to lack of alternative, adequate housing
- At a train or bus station, park, or in a car
- In an abandoned building
- Temporarily housed while awaiting DCFS foster care placement
All Homeless Students Have Rights To:
- Immediate school enrollment : A school must immediately enroll students even if they lack health, immunization or school records, proof of guardianship, or proof of residency
- Enroll in:
- The school he/she attended when permanently housed (school of origin)
- The school in which he/she was last enrolled (school of origin)
- Any school that non-homeless students living in the same attendance area in which the homeless child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.
- Remain enrolled in his/her selected school for as long as he/she remains homeless or if the student becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year
- Priority in certain preschool programs
- Participate in tutorial-instructional support program, school-related activities, and/or receive other support services
- Obtain information on how to get fee waivers, free uniforms, and low-cost or free medical referrals
- Transportation services: A Homeless student attending his/her school of origin has a right to transportation to go to and from the school of origin as long as he/she is homeless or, if the student becomes permanently housed, until the end of the school year.
Program Elements for Out-of-Home Care: https://dpi.wi.gov/foster-care
1. Educational Stability
2. Best Interest Determination
3. Transportation Procedures
4. Immediate Enrollment and Request for Records
Dispute Resolution: If you disagree with school officials about enrollment, transportation or fair treatment of a youth who is homeless or in out of home care (foster care), you may file a complaint with the school district. The school district must refer you to free and low-cost legal services to help you, if you wish. During the dispute, the student must be immediately be enrolled in the school and provided transportation until the matter is resolved.
If you have questions about enrollment in a school or want more information about the rights of homeless students, call the Director of Student Services at (262) 789-6260.
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