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Education Rights for Students Experiencing Homelessness

California Department of Education

Board Policy 6173 Education for Homeless Children

1. RIGHT TO REMAIN IN YOUR SCHOOL OF ORIGIN

  • You have the right to stay in the same school you were attending at the time you became displaced to the extent feasible, except when doing so is contrary to the parent or guardian (or, in the case of an unaccompanied homeless youth, against the youth’s wishes).
  • If there is any disagreement about which school you will attend, you have the right to stay in your school of origin until the disagreement is resolved.

2. RIGHT TO IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL

  • You have the right to immediately enroll in your regular home school after you become displaced.
  • You have a right to immediately enroll in school and begin attending classes, even if you do not have the paperwork you would normally need for enrollment (such as birth certificate, transcript, or individualized education program) or you did not check-out from your previous school.
  • Your previous school must send your education records to your new school after you enroll.
  • You have the right to participate in any activities available at your new school, such as sports teams, tutoring, or after-school clubs, even if you miss a tryout.

3. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

  • You have the right to receive “comparable services” to other students in the LEA, including educational services provided under Title I Part A, IDEA, English Language Learner support, Gifted and Talented and other supports.

4. GRADUATION RIGHTS

  • If you are behind on your credits, and you transferred schools after your 2nd year of high school, you may be eligible to graduate under Assembly Bill (AB) 167/216 by completing only the state graduation requirements (130 credits in specific classes) instead of your school district’s requirements.
  • Your school must inform you of your right to this option within 30 days of your school transfer, including consulting with you and your parent about your options. If you do not qualify when you transfer, the school must reassess whether you qualify within the first 30 days of the next school year. You can also request a reassessment at any time and the school must complete it within 30 days.
  • You have the right to stay in high school for a fifth year to complete your school district graduation requirements, or the state graduation requirements, even if you are over eighteen.
  • If you are eligible (even if you were not originally eligible, your district failed to inform you when you were eligible, or you are now attending adult school), the decision of whether to graduate under AB 167/216, to defer the decision, or to change your mind before you graduate, is made by your parent, or you if you are over eighteen.

5. COLLEGE RIGHTS

  • You have the right to have the application fee waived when you apply to a community college in California.
  • You have the right to receive the maximum amount of federal student aid and you may be eligible for up to $5,000 per year.

6. RIGHT TO YOUR SCHOOL RECORDS

  • Your parent can access your current school records.

7. TRANSPORTATION

  • Your parent can access your current school records.

 

 

Students experiencing Homelessness

Laws
Right to privacy
Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended (school of origin) or the local school where they are currently staying, even if they do not have all the documents normally required at the time of enrollment.
Continue to attend their school of origin, if requested and in the student’s best interest.
Receive transportation to and from their school of origin,
Access to special programs, and services, if needed, which are provided to all Paramount students, including free meals and Title I.