Research shows that participation in activity programs increases high school graduation and later success in life, particularly for disadvantaged students. Yet homelessness creates significant barriers to participation in athletics and other extra-curricular activities. Fortunately, the ESSA amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act include new policies to remove barriers to participation in extra-curricular activities.
We’ve got some new tools to help implement these requirements, including a brief with examples of helpful policies, and an editable template for school districts to use to provide athletic directors and associations with determinations of a youth’s homeless status (or foster care status). Other ESSA training tools, including a template Powerpoint presentation, may be found on our preK-12 page. And don’t forget all the great resources on the National Center for Homeless Education’s website, as well as Patricia Julianelle’s training DVDs.
|