Act provides education for homeless children

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 17, 2003

By MELISSA PEACOCK

RESERVE – For the second time in two weeks, St. John the Baptist Parish School system is feeling the effects of federal law.

At a recent St. John School Board meeting, School Board members approved a homeless policy mandated by the “No Child Left Behind Act”. The move came just weeks after the Board approved a NCLB mandated policy changing paraprofessional (teachers aides) education requirements.

“As part of ‘No Child Left Behind’ we had to develop a policy for those identified as homeless,” said Ann LaBorde, executive director of personnel and legal services. The purpose of the policy, she said, is to ensure that all children have access to a free public education.

While School Board members said they agree with the concept, some were concerned about how schools could implement the policy.

“By definition, you almost have to have an address (to determine where you go to school and where report cards are sent),” School Board member Russ Wise said. “I am just wondering about the mechanics of the policy.”

Addressing questions raised by Wise and other members of the School Board, LaBorde noted the policy includes students that do not have a permanent resident, but are living with friends or relatives. Information, she said, could be sent to those addresses.

That does not mean students literally living in automobiles or on the street are excluded from the system.

The St. John Parish Home-less Policy states that “homeless” refers to anyone without a permanent nighttime residence, including those living in areas “not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation” and migratory children.

The school Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attend-ance, LaBorde said, would facilitate communication be-tween schools and homeless parents and students.

The purpose of the policy, school officials said, is to “publicize to attract” homeless residents so that everyone has access to public education.

Under the new policy, Title I funds will pay school fees (uniforms, school supplies, etc.) for homeless students. The amount of Title I funding schools receive is based on the percentage of students in the district receiving free or reduced lunches.

At a prior meeting, School Board members approved a NCLB policy mandating that paraprofessionals or teachers aides in Title I schools have additional training.

By 2006 paraprofessionals will be required to have at least two years of college education (associate degree) or to pass a proficiency test.

Starting this year, St. John Schools, through an initiative with River Parishes Com-munity College, will offer college courses to put local paraprofessionals in compliance with the changing laws. There will be no out of pocket expenses for paraprofessionals attending the classes.

President George W. Bush signed “No Child Left Behind” in 2002. The act requires state school systems to adopt accountability policies and to take steps to bring schools up to state and national standards.