NYS-TEACHS
at Advocates for Children
151 West 30th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
TEL 800.388.2014
FAX 212.807.6872
Enrollment and School Selection
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is federal legislation that discusses the public education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. In January, 2002, McKinney-Vento was reauthorized as Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act. Click on the links below to get more information on determining eligibilty under the McKinney-Vento Act.
Enrollment - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Find answers to commonly asked questions about enrollment for students in temporary housing situations.
School Selection - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Find answers to commonly asked questions about school selection for students in temporary housing situations.
Resources
Short Guide to the Educational Rights of Children and Youth in Temporary Housing in New York State [PDF]
This guide provides more detailed information about the rights of students experiencing homelessness, as well as useful contact information.
Short Guide to the Educational Rights of Children and Youth in Temporary Housing in New York City [PDF]
Get an overview of the McKinney-Vento Act, and find out how it applies to students who are homeless in New York City.
School Selection Issue Brief [PDF]
The McKinney-Vento Act allows students to choose between the school of origin (the last school the student attended/the school the student was entitled to attend when the student was last permanently housed) and the local school (the school zoned for the area where the student is temporarily residing). This issue brief is intended to clarify this decision and assist in the decision-making process. This Brief includes federal but not NYS laws.
Delivering Educational Services to Students Experiencing Homelessness: The Challenges and Successes of New York State LEA Liaisons [Word doc]
This research report analyzes responses by New York State LEA liaisons to the 2006 NYS-TEACHS LEA Liaison Survey. The confidential Survey, completed by approximately 500 liaisons in New York State in the summer of 2006, focused on the successes and challenges in implementing the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program: Non-Regulatory Guidance [PDF]
This non-regulatory guidance for the McKinney-Vento Act clarifies LEA and SEA responsibilities regarding the Act, and provides answers to commonly asked questions about the Act.
Information about Student Immunization Records
This page provides information about immunization records for students attending school in New York State.
Forms
Enrollment Form - Residency Questionnaire [Word doc]
All LEAs that receive Title I Funds must have students complete and submit a residency questionnaire or enrollment form, which asks about students' living arrangements, in order to identify students experiencing homelessness in the school district.
Sample Local Educational Agency Education of Homeless Children Policy [Word doc]
Every LEA must have a homeless education policy to address the needs of students experiencing homelessness in the school district. This is a Sample LEA Homeless Education Policy that school districts may use as a model policy to ensure compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act.
Sample Enrollment Process for Students in Temporary Housing [Word doc]
Every LEA must ensure that students who are experiencing homelessness are immediately enrolled in school. This is a Sample Enrollment Process that school districts may follow as a model process for immediately enrolling students experiencing homelessness once they are identified as homeless.
Laws and Guidance
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act [PDF]
Enrollment and school selection are discussed in Section 722(g)(3)(c)(i) & 722(g)(3)(A).
New York State Education Law Section 3209 [Word doc]
Enrollment and school selection are discussed in Section 3209(2)(a).
McKinney-Vento Field Memo Re: Enrollment, Unaccompanied Youth, Transportation - August 2007 [Word doc]
This Field Memo from the State Education Department clarifies the right of temporarily housed students' to immediate enrollment in and transportation to school.
McKinney-Vento Field Memo Re: Education of Homeless Children and Youth - October 2002 [Word doc]
This Field Memo from the State Education Department summarizes the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act that were reauthorized as a part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Upcoming Workshops and Trainings
March 17: Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES
March 17: South Brooklyn McKinney-Vento Training
March 17: Southern Westchester Regional Training