I. The LEA has established an appropriate infrastructure for implementation of the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. Guiding Questions LEA Acceptable LEA Evidence Documentation Probing Questions Interview LEA Response Is sufficient documentation provided? 1.1. Does the LEA review and revise policies to remove barriers and adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youth are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless? §722(g)(1)(J)(i) Local homeless education policy Reports on homeless students in more restrictive settings, including any suspensions and expulsions How does the percentage of homeless youth placed on homebound compare to the overall local percentage? How does the rate of suspensions and expulsions for students experiencing homelessness compare to other groups? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 1.2. Has an appropriate staff person been designated as the LEA liaison for homeless children and youth who is able to carry out the duties described in Title IX, Part A? §722(g)(1)(J)(ii)? LEA staff directory that identifies the liaison LEA Web site that identifies the liaison Evidence that time allotted to perform duties is reasonable given the number of students identified as homeless What was the rationale for including the liaison in his/her current department? How is the liaison position classified in HR? How often has the LEA designated a new homeless education liaison? How is the state coordinator notified of any changes in personnel? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 1.3. How does the LEA liaison learn about liaison responsibilities under McKinney-Vento? §722(f)(5) and (6), §722(g)(1)(J)(iv) & §722(g)(2) Evidence that the liaison for homeless children and youth has participated in training identified by the state coordinator, e.g., certificates of attendance In what professional development activities has the liaison participated related to McKinney-Vento responsibilities? Are there topics the liaison would like to see offered by the state? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments
2.3. How does the LEA ensure coordination LEA programs and community agencies serving students experiencing homelessness, including Title I, Part A, Title III, and special education and local department of social services? §722(g)(4) and (5) & §722(g)(6)(iv) Evidence that the LEA ensures that homeless students receive Title I, Part A, services through sections of the consolidated application and schoolwide program plans addressing the educational needs of homeless students Description of activities funded through the LEA Title I, Part A, reservation for homeless students Evidence that the LEA coordinates programs and services between SEA, LEA, and other community agencies, (e.g., schedules, agendas, minutes, notes or handouts) How does the LEA determine its Title I, Part A, reservation for students experiencing homelessness and how are the funds used? How do homeless children and youth receive free meals through the National School Lunch Program? How do homeless families, children, and youth receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, and other appropriate services? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 2.4. What special activities are undertaken on behalf of homeless preschool children? §722(g)(1)(F)(i) §722(g)(6)(A)(iii) Sample letters and/or meeting agendas with Head Start, Early Childhood Special Education, VPI, and Early Intervention Enrollment data for preschoolers Case notes Referrals to early childhood programs Does the LEA enrollment form request information about younger siblings? How does the liaison coordinate with intervention and preschool programs, including community agencies? Do preschool-aged homeless children receive educational services for they are eligible, including access to Head Start and preschool programs administered by the LEA? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments
2.5. How does the LEA ensure that homeless students are immediately enrolled and assisted with basic school requirements (e.g., records transfer, health and immunization records, and residency)? §722(g)(3)(C) §722(g)(7) Evidence that the LEA annually reviews and revises policies and practices to ensure they do not act as barriers to enrolling homeless students, such as agenda, minutes, or notes from meetings where these reviews occur Enrollment records with date of presentment and date of initial attendance How does the LEA review and revise policies and practices (such as those regarding immunization and health records, residency requirements, birth certificates, school records, and guardianship) to ensure they do not act as barriers when enrolling homeless students? What data (barrier logs, technical assistance logs, etc.) are used to inform practices? What processes are in place to address barriers and other challenges identified? How does the LEA document that students experiencing homelessness are immediately enrolled in school and provided assistance in obtaining any missing enrollment documents? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 2.6. What special activities are undertaken on behalf of homeless unaccompanied or out-of-school §722(g)(1)(F)(ii) §722(g)(6)(A)(x) §722(g)(7)(C) Sample letters and/or meeting agendas Credit accrual strategies/policies Evidence unaccompanied youth are notified of their independent status on the FAFSA On-time graduation and dropout rates disaggregated by homeless status Does the LEA homeless liaison assist unaccompanied youth with school placement decisions? Are the needs of homeless youth addressed in high school retention efforts? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments
2.7. How do homeless students receive assistance from counselors to advise such youth, and prepare and improve their readiness for college? §722(g)(1)(K) Review of academic and career plans for homeless youth Sample letters and/or meeting agendas Credit accrual strategies/policies On-time graduation and dropout disaggregated by homeless status How are the of homeless youth addressed in high school retention efforts? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 2.8. How does the LEA ensure enrollment in the school of origin when determined to be in the best interest of the §722(g)(3)(A)(i), §722(g)(3)(B), & §722(g)(6)(A)(vii) and (viii) Best interest determination forms Case notes Evidence that parents/youth are informed of their rights under McKinney-Vento (e.g., parent/youth signatures verifying receipt of rights, case notes) How are the parents or guardians of homeless children and and unaccompanied homeless youth informed of the educational opportunities available and provided meaningful opportunities to participate in educational decision-making? How does the LEA conduct best interest determinations for placement decisions? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 2.9. How does the LEA ensure transportation to the school of origin? §722(g)(1)(J)(iii) §722(g)(5)(A)(ii) §722(g)(6)(A)(viii) Evidence that the LEA ensures that transportation to the school of origin is provided upon request and monitored by the LEA Transportation referral forms How is transportation provided, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the LEA homeless liaison), to and from the school of origin? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments III: The LEA has a system for ensuring the prompt resolution of disputes. Guiding Questions LEA Acceptable LEA Evidence Documentation Probing Questions Interview LEA Response Is sufficient documentation provided?
3.1. Does the LEA have a written LEA dispute resolution process and does it pre-dispute inquiries concerning barriers to enrollment? §722(g)(1)(C) and §722(g)(3)(E) Written dispute resolution policy Examples of written notification to parents and unaccompanied homeless youth regarding placement decisions when they are different from what was requested Evidence that LEA implements a process for the prompt resolution of disputes, such as a phone log, notes, or e-mail messages What is the process for providing written notice? Are enrollment disputes mediated in accordance with Virginia’s dispute resolution process? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments 3.2. What is the LEA’s process to review or investigate disputes brought by §722(g)(1)(C) and §722(g)(3)(E) Records indicating that enrollment disputes are investigated and resolved in a timely manner Evidence that students are enrolled and provided transportation during the dispute resolution process How are parent/unaccompanied homeless youth appeals resolved? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments IV. The LEA monitors academic progress and success of students experiencing homelessness. 4.1. How does the LEA ensure that homeless students are included in statewide assessments? §722(g)(1)(A) Reports of statewide assessment performance of homeless students enrolled in the LEA for the last school year Disaggregated SOL performance by homeless flag How does the LEA use statewide assessment data to identify needs of students experiencing homelessness? How are students experiencing homelessness included in chronic absenteeism efforts? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments
Disaggregated attendance rates 4.2. Does the LEA monitor graduation rates and college and career ready status for students experiencing homelessness? §722(g)(1)(K) §722(g)(6)(A)(x) §721(4) Disaggregated on-time graduation and dropout rates Surveys of graduates Number of homeless seniors who apply to and are accepted into postsecondary programs Has the LEA explored credit recovery strategies? How do the of graduation compare to other LEA subgroups? Yes No N/A Comments Yes No N/A Comments