Washington schools enroll students without stable housing right away

Schools must promptly enroll children and youths without stable housing, even when required records are missing or enrollment deadlines were missed. This covers children and youths without a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep, including those sharing housing after losing a home or staying in shelters, motels, cars, or similar places. Students must remain enrolled while an eligibility, school choice, or enrollment dispute is being resolved. Immediate enrollment applies when a student seeks enrollment and continues while any available appeals resolve a dispute.

School districts must decide whether to keep a student in their school of origin or enroll them in a local school based on the student's best interest. The school of origin is the school the student attended when permanently housed or was last enrolled, including preschool and the designated next school in a feeder pattern. Districts must presume that staying in the school of origin is best, unless the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth requests otherwise. They must consider student-centered factors and give priority to that request. If a district chooses a different school, it must give an understandable written explanation and notice of appeal rights. A district liaison must help an unaccompanied youth with placement or enrollment decisions. A student may stay in the school of origin during homelessness and, if permanently housed during a school year, for the rest of that academic year.

The state education office must offer grants to school districts for services that help homeless students enroll, attend, and succeed in school. School districts may apply for grants to help identify homeless students, enroll them, support attendance, and improve school success. Grants are available only if money is appropriated for this specific purpose. Districts must apply, and awards are competitive and based on need and application quality. Grant-funded services must add to or improve regular school services and, as much as practicable, include homeless students with other students. They may not replace regular instruction. Grant terms may last up to three years.