Homeless Students

McKinney-Vento assures every student experiencing homelessness has the right to:

• Immediate enrollment, even if the student identified as homeless is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, or proof of residency
• Remain in the school of origin if in the student’s best interest
• Receive transportation to/from the school of origin
• Receive services comparable to services offered to other students in the district

The Missouri Migrant Education Program (MO MEP) is a federally funded program [Title I, Part C] that funds high-quality education programs for migratory children. Student eligibility is determined through an interview with the family conducted by a  MO MEP identification and Recruitment team. 

Families who indicate Migratory Worker status when enrolling students are directed to complete the Parent Questionnaire and return it to the SIT office. The form is forwarded to the Migrant Education office at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Once Migratory Worker status is confirmed, students are eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act.

Migratory workers typically work in fishing and/or agriculture. Examples include:

• pork and beef processing
• milking cows
• nursery or greenhouse work
• planting or harvesting crops or cotton
• chicken processing, feeding poultry, gathering eggs, working in a hatchery
• harvesting and packing apples
• fruit and vegetable processing
• feeding livestock

The homeless coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring that students identified as homeless enroll and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act requires that every school district appoint a homeless coordinator who serves as the link between homeless families and school staff, district personnel, shelter workers, and social service providers. The homeless coordinator is responsible for the following:

• Assisting students identified as homeless with enrolling and accessing school services
• Obtaining immunization or medical records
• Coordinating transportation services
• Informing parents, and school personnel of the rights of students identified as homeless
• Collaborating and coordinating with Missouri's State Homeless Coordinator, the community, and other school personnel
• Handling disputes over enrollment, school placement, and transportation
• Ensuring that students identified as homeless are immediately enrolled in school pending the resolution of any disputes

To seek assistance under the McKinney-Vento Act or to file a complaint regarding the placement or education of a student identified as homeless, please contact Mike Siebe.