KTEC High School is committed to providing all students, including homeless students and unaccompanied youth, with access to a high-quality and rigorous education.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to remove barriers that interfere with a homeless youth’s ability to attend and participate in educational programs and extracurricular activities. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless children and youth have access to the same free, public education at KTEC High School as other children and youth, and have access to educational and other services they need in order to meet state standards.

Definition of Homeless Children and Youth

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youths as those who “lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”. This definition includes children and youths who are:

  • sharing housing due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or another reason;
  • living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;
  • living in emergency or transitional shelters;
  • abandoned in hospitals;
  • living in a public or private place not designated for, or normally used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
  • living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar places; and/or
  • living in one of the above circumstances and who are migratory.
  • Migratory children and unaccompanied youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) will be considered homeless if they meet the above definition.

How is homeless status determined?

Homeless status is determined in cooperation with KTEC High School staff, including the Homeless Liaison, and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), unless unaccompanied.

A student who is deemed homeless will receive immediate enrollment, even if the family or youth is unable to produce records normally required for school enrollment, such as academic records, immunization/health records, proof of residency, birth certificates, etc.

The student will also be immediately enrolled if they missed the application window or enrollment deadline during a period of homelessness; or has outstanding fees and/or fines.

Parent and Student Rights

Including immediate school enrollment, as described above, upon identification, students who are identified as homeless by KTEC High School’s homeless liaison will also be entitled to the following rights:

School Choice

Students may choose to stay at the school of origin (the school attended when permanently housed or the school last attended), or to enroll in the school where they are currently living for the remainder of the academic year.

School Fee Waivers

Students have the right to receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the student’s needs. This includes extracurricular activities fees (band, choir, sports, and clubs).

School Supplies

Required school supplies should be provided.

Transportation

Homeless students are eligible to receive transportation to and from the school of origin for the duration of the school year.

Free Lunch

Students are automatically eligible to receive free lunch for the duration of the school year.

Resources