FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
R
OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
P
HOEBE RAULERSON
L
INDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSONS
NAME:
Lisa Saavedra
Betty
Applewhite
PHONE:
850) 245-0692
(850) 245-0709
SUNCOM:
205-0692
205-0709
E-MAIL:
lisa.saavedra@fldoe.org
betty.applewhite@fldoe.org
K12: 2005-137
MEMORANDUM
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
DATE:
October 7, 2005
SUBJECT:
Technical Assistance Paper on the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
One of the goals of the Florida Department of Education is
Highest Student Achievement
. In
support of this goal, the Department is pleased to provide a technical assistance paper (TAP) on
The Education of Homeless Children and Youth. This TAP provides additional guidance to
school districts as they strive to ensure educational rights and protections for children and youth
experiencing homelessness.
The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, as
amended and incorporated into the
No Child Left Behind Act
of 2001, allows the state of Florida
to distribute funding to local school districts to meet the requirements listed in the Act. The
CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
October 7, 2005
Page Two
Department shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has
equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool
education, as provided to other children and youth. In response to the requests from school
districts, a technical assistance paper was developed to provide guidance and additional
clarification.
This technical assistance paper provides information that is more specific and addresses issues
and concerns identified by District Homeless Liaisons, such as segregation of homeless students,
transportation to and from the school of origin, immediate enrollment, choice of schools, and
automatic eligibility for free school meals. We are available to provide assistance as you and
your staff address and meet the needs of homeless children and youth that may exist in the
district.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Betty Applewhite, State
Homeless Coordinator, at (850) 245-0709, or by email at betty.applewhite@fldoe.org.
CPY/eh
Attachments
cc:
?
Mary Jane Tappen
Lisa C. Saavedra
Betty Applewhite
