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JBC(1) – Homeless Students

  • Document Link: JBC(1) – Homeless Students
  • Title: Homeless Students
  • Section: J. Students
  • Adoption Date: 07/18/2019
  • Ref Code: O.C.G.A. 20-02-0150, O.C.G.A. 20-02-0293, O.C.G.A. 20-02-0690.1, O.C.G.A. 20-02-0694, Rule 160-5-1-.28, 42 USC 11431

Descriptor Code: JBC (1)
Homeless Students 

EDUCATION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS

The Cherokee County Board of Education is dedicated to the guiding principle that all eligible children and youth, including the homeless, who reside within the School District, are entitled to a free, appropriate education. Due to the special needs of homeless students, the School District establishes this policy to assist in removing barriers to the education process for homeless students so they may fully participate in the educational opportunities offered in Cherokee County.

I. Identification

A “homeless student” is determined to be:

  • A child or youth who lacks fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence;
  • A child or youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly-operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
  • The term “homeless” does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained by an act of Congress or state law.

II. School Admission and Enrollment
A homeless student will be assisted in the school admissions/enrollment process, according to the child’s or youth’s best interest in accordance with School Board Policy JBC.

If a dispute arises over school admission or enrollment in a school, the homeless student will be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute; the parent or guardian of the homeless student will be provided with a written explanation of the school’s decision regarding school admission or enrollment, including the rights of the parent, guardian or homeless student to appeal the decision. In the case of an unaccompanied homeless student, the homeless liaison will ensure that the homeless student is immediately enrolled in the school pending resolution of the dispute.

III. Comparable Services
Each homeless student will be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school, including the following:

  • Transportation services will be offered in accordance with federal requirements.
  • Educational services for which the homeless student meets eligibility criteria, such as Title I, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for students with limited English proficiency
  • Programs in vocation and technical education
  • Programs for gifted and talented students
  •  School nutrition programs

IV. Appeal Process for Disputes
Any dispute in regard to providing a public education to a child designated as homeless will be presented to the Principal to be resolved. If the matter is not resolved at that level, the dispute will be brought to the Superintendent or designee who will resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved at this level, the dispute will be brought to the School Board. In the event the dispute cannot be resolved locally, the parent/legal guardian may request a review of the dispute by the Georgia Department of Education.

ADOPTED: June 21, 2004      REVISED: July 18, 2019