<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 13A.05.09.04" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="09" heading="School Placement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The local school system serving each child or youth shall, according to the child's or youth's best interest, establish a procedure to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Continue the child's or youth's education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Enroll the child or youth in any public school that nonhomeless students living in the attendance area in which the child or youth is living are eligible to attend.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In determining the best interest of the child or youth under §A of this regulation, the local school system shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Presume that keeping the child or youth in the school of origin is in the child’s or youth’s best interest, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Give priority to the request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Consider the following student-centered factors:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The student's age;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The school which the student's siblings attend;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The student's experiences at the school of origin;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The student's academic needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The student's emotional needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Any other special needs of the family;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Continuity of instruction;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Length of stay in the shelter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>The likely location of the family's future permanent housing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Time remaining in the school year;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Distance of commute and the impact it may have on the student's education and other student-centered, transportation-related factors; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>The safety of the child;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Provide a written explanation to the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, in a manner and form understandable to the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, including a statement regarding the right to appeal pursuant to Regulation .07 of this chapter if the local school system sends the child or youth to a school other than the school of origin or a school requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>In the case of an unaccompanied youth, ensure that the local school system homeless coordinator:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Assists in placement or enrollment decisions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Gives priority to the views of the unaccompanied youth; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provides notice to the youth of the right to appeal pursuant to Regulation .07 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The homeless student shall remain in the school determined to be in the student's best interest for as long as the student remains homeless, or if the student becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Homeless students living separately from their parent shall be offered the same school choice options as other homeless students are offered.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>