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Feasibility: Determining Feasibility in School Selection
The Law
The concept of feasibility appears in the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act in relation to a student's choice of schools, which
includes the school of origin and the local attendance area school.
The law states that school districts shall:
(i) to the extent feasible, keep a homeless
child or youth in the school of origin, except when doing so is
contrary to the wishes of the child's or youth's parent or guardian;
(ii) provide a written explanation, including a statement regarding
the right to appeal under subparagraph (E), to the homeless child's
or youth's parent or guardian, if the local educational agency sends
such child or youth to a school other than the school of origin
or a school requested by the parent or guardian; and
(iii) in the case of an unaccompanied youth, ensure that the homeless
liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii) assists in placement
or enrollment decisions under this subparagraph, considers the views
of such unaccompanied youth, and provides notice to such youth of
the right to appeal under subparagraph (E).
U.S. Department of Education Policy Guidance
G-4. What should a school district consider when determining
the extent to which it is feasible to educate a homeless child or
youth in his or her school of origin?
As stated above, to the extent feasible, a district
must educate a homeless child or youth in his or her school of origin,
unless doing so is contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian.
The placement determination should be a student-centered, individualized
determination. Factors that an LEA may consider include the age
of the child or youth; the distance of a commute and the impact
it may have on the student's education; personal safety issues;
a student's need for special instruction (e.g., special education
and related services); the length of anticipated stay in a temporary
shelter or other temporary location; and the time remaining in the
school year.
Definitions
School of Origin: the school that the child or youth attended
when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth
was last enrolled
Local Attendance Area School: any public school that nonhomeless
students who live in the attendance area in which the child or
youth is
actually living are eligible to attend
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