McKinney-Vento 2001, Law Into Practice Issue Brief

Resolution of Disputes

Families and youth in homeless situations may be unaware of their right to dispute placement and enrollment decisions. When disputes are raised, too often, students are kept out of school during the dispute resolution process, which can severely damage students academic progress and disrupt their classmates and teachers.

To avoid such disruptions, families and youth experiencing homelessness, as well as schools, need an established process for resolving disputes.  This document outlines how to establish such a process.

Permitting students to enroll immediately in the school of choice during disputes ensures that students will be able to remain in school. Without such a provision, parents, guardians, and youth may be discouraged from pursuing their rights for fear of protracted denials of education while disputes are resolved.

LEA homeless liaisons are essential to ensure disputes are resolved objectively and expeditiously. Written notice protects both students and schools by outlining the specific reasons for the schools decision. It facilitates resolution of disputes by providing decision-makers with documents to guide their determinations.

Go Back