MCKINNEY – VENTO TRANSPORTATION

Hands Across Michigan Brenda M GreenhoeNovember 16, 2015

TRANSPORTATION WILL NOT BE A BARRIER TO EDUCATING OUR

MV KIDS!!

PROVISIONS OF THE LAW

Children and youth experiencing homelessness can stay in their school of origin or enroll in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend, according to their best interest

School of origin —school attended when permanently housed or in which last enrolled

Best interest —keep homeless students in their schools of origin, to the extent feasible, unless this is against the parents’ or guardians’ wishes

SCHOOL SELECTION—KEY PROVISIONS

Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing If a student becomes homeless in between academic years, he or she may continue in the school of origin for the following academic year If a student is sent to a school other than that requested by a parent or guardian, the district must provide a written explanation to the parent or guardian of its decision and the right to appeal

FEASIBILITY—Continuity of instructionAge of the child or youthSafety of the child or youthLength of stay at the shelterLikely area where family will find permanent housingStudent’s need for special instructional programsImpact of commute on educationSchool placement of siblingsTime remaining in the school year

RESEARCH ON SCHOOL MOBILITY

Students who switch schools frequently score lower on standardized tests; study found mobile students scored 20 points lower than non-mobile students Mobility also hurts non-mobile students; study found average test scores for non-mobile students were significantly lower in high schools with high student mobility rates It takes children an average of 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools

RESEARCH ONSCHOOL MOBILITY (CONT.)

Students suffer psychologically, socially, and academically from mobility; mobile students are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and more likely to act out or get into trouble

Mobility during high school greatly diminishes the likelihood of graduation; study found students who changed high schools even once were less than half as likely as stable students to graduate, even controlling for other factors

TRANSPORTATION—KEY PROVISIONS

School districts must eliminate transportation barriers to the school enrollment and retention of students experiencing homelessness

LEAs must provide students experiencing homelessness with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent’s or guardian’s request (or at the liaison’s request for unaccompanied youth)

If the student’s temporary residence and the school of origin are in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or arrange transportation

TRANSPORTATION—KEY PROVISIONS (CONT.)

If the student is living outside of the school of origin’s LEA, the LEA where the student is living and the school of origin’s LEA must determine how to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they must share the cost equally

In addition to providing transportation to the school of origin, LEAs must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students

TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES

Develop close ties among local liaisons, school staff, pupil transportation staff, and shelter workers Re-route school buses (including special education, magnet school and other buses) Develop agreements with school districts where homeless children cross district lines Provide passes for public transportation Use approved van or taxi services Reimburse parents for gas

EXCESSIVE COSTS Districts are responsible for transportation within district parameters.

Excessive costs are those beyond a district’s border.

These costs are split with the district of residence.

These costs are based upon what is feasible.

A transportation agreement MUST be signed by both districts’ homeless liaison (and/or district business office, superintendent, transportation director).

Typically, the district of origin will initiate the transportation plan.

The grant may cover up to two weeks’ costs while an agreement is reached.

EXCESSIVE COSTS

Parents / student who transport are compensated for fuel ONLY.

Currently, #excessive miles X (2 or 4) /20mpg X $2.50 per gal. (this is adjusted each quarter, if fuel prices fluctuate) for the MAISD grant service area.

Reimbursement to districts is currently .50 X #miles

NO driver wages or benefits or “BUS” maintenance costs may be charged to MV grant.

TRANSPORTATION WILL NOT BE A BARRIER TO EDUCATING OUR

MV KIDS!!

DISCUSSION OF TRANSPORTATION SCENARIOS Think of an example from your work regarding process and procedure in reaching an agreement with another district for transportation.

What went smoothly?

What was challenging?

What strategies helped you overcome the challenges?