Comments on: Down and Out of District http://www.quickanded.com/2008/08/down-and-out-of-district.html The Quick and the Ed is an education blog published by Education Sector, an independent think tank in Washington D.C. The Quick and the Ed offers in-depth analysis on the latest in education policy and research. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:34:03 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Diane Nilan http://www.quickanded.com/2008/08/down-and-out-of-district.html/comment-page-1#comment-137 Diane Nilan Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:15:00 +0000 http://www.quickanded.com/wordpress/?p=1225#comment-137 What about the West Aurora story implies the family wanting to attend the school district because it's a better district?<br/><br/>This issue, at face value from what I read in the story, seems to be that the district is overlooking the underlying reason the family is in West's district--hardship because of marital problems and financial problems--foreclosure.<br/><br/>If those circumstances are correctly reported, and if they are in fact the reason the family moved in with the grandparents, then the family is considered to fit under the definition of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance law--as homeless. <br/><br/>In that case they would be able to attend West without paying out-of-district tuition. Homeless students, including those doubled-up with family/friends or staying in motels or any combination of highly mobility, can attend their old school (school of origin), or the school in the attendance area where they are now staying.<br/><br/>And, they don't need to prove residency or have someone act as a legal guardian. Fees are waived. Transportation assistance might be warranted. Supplies are made available.<br/><br/>And if a district is challenging a family's residency--they are obliged to look at the possibility homelessness might be at the root of the problem. <br/><br/>West should be happy that a pit bull attorney hasn't taken up this case. Ouch. That would cost more than the $8600 tuition. What about the West Aurora story implies the family wanting to attend the school district because it’s a better district?

This issue, at face value from what I read in the story, seems to be that the district is overlooking the underlying reason the family is in West’s district–hardship because of marital problems and financial problems–foreclosure.

If those circumstances are correctly reported, and if they are in fact the reason the family moved in with the grandparents, then the family is considered to fit under the definition of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance law–as homeless.

In that case they would be able to attend West without paying out-of-district tuition. Homeless students, including those doubled-up with family/friends or staying in motels or any combination of highly mobility, can attend their old school (school of origin), or the school in the attendance area where they are now staying.

And, they don’t need to prove residency or have someone act as a legal guardian. Fees are waived. Transportation assistance might be warranted. Supplies are made available.

And if a district is challenging a family’s residency–they are obliged to look at the possibility homelessness might be at the root of the problem.

West should be happy that a pit bull attorney hasn’t taken up this case. Ouch. That would cost more than the $8600 tuition.

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