Title IX, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Title IX, Part A: Fair-Mont-Egan School Program
Fair-Mont-Egan School (FME) sponsors an Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. Title IX, Part A (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) is intended to help ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness has equal access to the same free, appropriate, public education provided to their peers living in stable housing.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act affords eligible students the rights to immediate enrollment, transportation/busing, automatic enrollment in the free/reduced lunch program, automatic enrollment in Title I services, access to all school-based services for which they qualify, participation in all programs and activities offered to students and families, and the ability to challenge enrollment/school-choice decisions.
Title IX, Part A: Determining if a Child is Experiencing Homelessness
The term “homeless children and youth” refers to individuals who lack a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence. Under the law, a child may qualify as homeless if his or her living situation meets one of the following:
Shelter resident.
Motel/hotel resident (because affordable housing is not available)
Campground, tent, car, or abandoned building living
Substandard housing (home lacks electricity or running water)
Shared housing (doubled up with family or friends due to financial reasons)
Unaccompanied youth (not living in the physical custody of a parent/legal guardian and lacking a regular, fixed, nighttime residence)
Migratory children who live in circumstances listed above.
Title IX, Part A: Educational Rights for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education
Enroll and attend school immediately, even if unable to provide records required for enrollment
Enroll or remain in school without a permanent address
Qualify for Free and reduced lunch
Receive transportation to and from school if requested
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the child’s needs
Stay in the school of origin (when feasible and in the child’s best interest)
Speak with a local homeless liaison about their rights
Title IX, Part A: Families in Transition (FIT) Liaison
The school appoints a FIT liaison to advocate for students and assist them in coordinating student support. For more information or to determine eligibility for services, please contact our FIT liaison, Tina Blair, at (406) 755-7072.