End of Year Considerations for Students Experiencing Homelessness David Ray Region 10 ESC

Asking Questions?

Materials? –

Recorded Webinars? –

Texas Homeless Education Office

Texas Education Agency Risk_Schools_and_Students/Education_of_Homeless_Students/ Risk_Schools_and_Students/Education_of_Homeless_Students/

Non-Agenda We will not spend anytime discussing the ethical or moral pros and cons related to providing services to people in homeless situations.

Agenda Issues Related to Summer School Issues Related to School Records Issues Related to Nutrition Preparing for the ‘16 – ’17 School Year

Issues Related to Summer School Students score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer “vacation” than they do at the beginning of summer “vacation” Students will lose about two months of math computational skills over the summer Reading and spelling abilities are also affected Much of the achievement gap between disadvantaged youths and their peers can be explained by summer learning loss in elementary school Research shows that teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer

Issues Related to Summer School Reading and math Social skills Access to nutrition Maintains Stability of positive patterns, systems and routines Emotional connections with peers and teachers

Summer School Costs Tuition and Fees – Schools can waive fees – Schools can seek outside funding – Title – I funds can be used Materials, School Supplies, Clothing – Local Resources (clothes and supply closets) – School Programs – Title – I funds can be used

Summer School Transportation Summer school is not compulsory (not counted as required School of Origin transportation) Exists as a comparable service Title – I funds could be used (entirely supplemental) Consider strategies for students temporarily housed out of district – Online courses for credit – Shared agreements with neighboring LEAs

Issues Related to Summer School If summer school is not feasible – Girls and Boys Clubs (Title – I can be used) – Other summer programs

Issues Related to School Records Why is quick access to records important? – High Mobility – Language Barriers – August enrollment tends to be an overly busy time of year – Families may have no other access to these records

Possible Scenario A family is living doubled-up with friends who are renting an apartment. The host family’s 1 year lease is up in August. They choose to move to a smaller apartment as the rental rates have increased since last year. The doubled-up family must relocate to a shelter in a new area. The parents in the doubled-up family only speak Vietnamese.

Issues Related to School Records Possible solutions – Provide parents with copies of important records – Inform clients of the homeless liaison directory – Train summer staff on issues related to homeless education – FERPA allows for transfer records to enrolling schools without parental consent – Allow clients to contact previous homeless liaison – Inform clients about THEO and Region 10

Issues Related to Nutrition More than 11% of children between the ages of 6 and 12 care for themselves over the summer months Students may not have access to food when not in school

Issues Related to Nutrition Possible Solutions – Federally subsidized meals available at summer school – – Inform families and unaccompanied youth of SNAP benefits

Issues Related to Nutrition Other ideas – Attend County Coalition Meetings – Do service organizations/churches know who you are? Do they know the needs of your students and their families

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Streamline enrollment procedures – Use an Student Residency Questionaire (SRQ) sample documents available from THEO and R10 – Schedule trainings for front office staff – Be available for confusing or difficult situations

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Create policies and procedures related to dispute resolution – Previously recorded webinar (R10) – Premade dispute procedures and forms – Written Notice – Inform district administration – Procedures for immediate enrollment without records

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Collect data related to the use of Title-I services – District & Campus improvement plans – Academic issues (Reading & Math) – Clothing/Uniforms/School Supplies – Connect with booster clubs – Connect with community organizations and homeless coalitions

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Creating Awareness – Posters and Pamphlets available on THEO website ( – Have opportunities for parent involvement (resource fairs) – Provide #’s to community organizations – Provide professional development for school staff and community members – Check ASKTed for accuracy of HoLi information

Preparing for ‘16 – ’ Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness – – Single day registrations available – September 21-23, 2016, Austin Omni Hotel at Southpark – 34a3f046a77c43f18e b461d72.aspx 34a3f046a77c43f18e b461d72.aspx

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Comply with HB 1559 – …shall post on the website information regarding local programs and services…available to assist homeless students – Local programs can request inclusion…at the school’s discretion – District’s are not liable – Size Requirement (district >3,000 students; county > 50,000)

Preparing for ‘16 – ’17 Take some time for yourself – Better physical health – More productivity – Closer family relationships – Newer perspectives – Increased mental power – Lower chance of burn out – Improved mental health

Questions?