Rights of Homeless Students

Rights of Homeless Students

Homeless students and their families have rights specifically granted to them under state and federal law in order to assist the education of those students. Those rights include: 

1) The right to choose to attend either the school district of attendance before the student  
    became homeless, or the school district where the student is currently living, or certain  
    other schools where a regional placement plan exists.  

2) The homeless child or youth may not be required to attend a separate school for the 
    homeless or otherwise be segregated solely due to homelessness.  

3) Homeless children and youths shall be provided services comparable to the services 
    offered to other students in the school selected, including transportation, school nutrition 
    programs, vocational/technical programs, educational services for which the child or 
    youth meets eligibility criteria, and programs for gifted and talented students.  

4) The right to a written explanation regarding a school district’s decision relating to 
     school selection or enrollment and the statement of the right to appeal such a decision.  

5) The local school district must appoint a homeless liaison to assist in providing such 
    rights and further information.  

Vestal Central School District’s homeless liaison is Thomas E. Comerford, III. The NYS Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth is also available to provide assistance in exercising a student’s rights under these provisions.