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McKinney-Vento Homeless Information

McKinney-Vento Homeless Information

Collierville Schools is committed to helping every student be successful regardless of where they live at the moment. If your family lives in any of the following situations:

  • In a shelter
  • In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
  • In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
  • Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Your school-aged children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

  • Students experiencing homelessness have the right to:

    • Receive a free, appropriate public education.
    • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
    • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
    • Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of orgin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
    • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
    • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs.

    * If the school district believes something related to the school choice /transporation is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanantion of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.

  • Students experiencing homelessness or housing transitions may face many obstacles to an appropriate education, such as lack of transportation and resources, frequent school changes, loss of school records, and emotional stress; special assistance is provided to support these students. A family experiencing homelessness may qualify for support through Collierville Schools. Our homeless liaison is able to assist families experiencing homelessness with the following:

     

    • Assistance with the school enrollment process and paperwork
    • Help with school issues, questions or concerns
    • Obtaining birth certificates, immunization records and school records
    • School supplies and other required items
    • Transportation to school and school-related events/activities

     

    If you are experiencing unstable housing, contact our homeless liaison, Julie Johnson. 

Dispute Process for McKinney-Vento Eligibility

If you wish to dispute the district’s decision regarding homeless eligibility or placement, please follow the steps listed below:

  • Level 1
    Appeal to the School or the LEA Homeless Liaison: If a parent or unaccompanied youth wishes to appeal an LEA’s decision related to eligibility, enrollment, or school selection, the appeal is submitted to the LEA’s homeless liaison or the homeless contact at the school where the dispute is taking place.
  • Level 2
    Appeal to the LEA Director of Schools: If the dispute is unresolved, the parent or unaccompanied youth may appeal the Level 1 decision to the LEA director of schools or designee.
  • Level 3
    Appeal to the State Coordinator: If the dispute continues to be unresolved, the parent or unaccompanied youth may appeal the Level 2 decision to the McKinney-Vento state coordinator at the department. Division of Federal Programs & Oversight 710 James Robertson Parkway Andrew Johnson Tower, 12th Floor Nashville, TN 37243 tn.gov/education
  • Level 4
    Appeal to the State Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Federal Programs and Oversight (FPO): If the parent, unaccompanied youth, or district wishes to appeal the Level 3 decision rendered by the McKinney-Vento state coordinator, an appeal may be submitted to the assistant commissioner of the division of federal programs and oversight (FPO).