Counseling Community Resources » Educational Rights for Foster and Homeless Youth

Educational Rights for Foster and Homeless Youth

In accordance with California Education Code sections 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, 51225.2, and the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Harriet Tubman Village Charter School is committed to ensuring that all students, including those in foster care and those experiencing homelessness, have equal access to educational opportunities, academic stability, and support services.


Foster Youth
Children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and are under the care of the child welfare system.


Educational Rights of Foster Youth

Students in foster care have the right to:

  • Remain in their school of origin, even if their placement changes, when it is in the student’s best interest
  • Immediate enrollment in a new school without delay, even if records normally required for enrollment are missing (including immunization records, proof of residency, or transcripts)
  • Partial credit for coursework satisfactorily completed at prior schools
  • Graduate under California’s minimum state graduation requirements if the student transfers after their second year of high school and cannot reasonably meet local graduation requirements
  • Prompt transfer of records between schools
  • Priority enrollment in school programs and activities
  • Access to academic, social-emotional, and mental health supports, including tutoring, counseling, and college/career planning services

 

Homeless Youth
Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are:

  • Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
  • Living in shelters, motels, hotels, or trailer parks
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
  • Living in places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations
  • Migratory children living in any of the circumstances described above

 

Educational Rights of Homeless Youth

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to:

  • Immediate enrollment in the school of origin or the local school where they are currently living, without proof of residency, immunization records, school records, tuberculosis test results, or legal guardianship documents
  • School selection based on the student’s best interest, with consideration given to student and family preference
  • Transportation to and from the school of origin, when requested and feasible
  • Equal access to all school programs and services, including:
    • Special education
    • Gifted and talented education
    • Career technical and vocational programs
    • Athletics and extracurricular activities
    • School nutrition programs (students automatically qualify for free meals)
  • Dispute resolution procedures if enrollment or school selection is denied
  • Protection from segregation or stigmatization. No student experiencing homelessness shall be required to attend a separate school or be treated differently by school personnel

 

Harriet Tubman Village Charter School will also ensure that foster and homeless youth have access to:

  • Fee waivers for school-related costs and activities when applicable
  • Assistance with school supplies, technology access, and instructional materials
  • Coordination with child welfare agencies, social services, and community organizations to support student stability and success

 

Homeless and Foster Youth Liaison: Laura Vivar (Interim CEO/Principal & Director of School Compliance) - [email protected] - (619) 668-8635 ext. 2070

 

For more information on the rights of foster youth and students experiencing homelessness, please visit the California Department of Education: