Education Law Center - Ensuring That All Children Have Access to School
Education Law Center - Philadelphia; Center City
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Data Provided By
2-1-1 SEPA - 2-1-1 SEPA
General Information
Description of Service
Many children are kept out of school, or endure long delays, because their districts or schools do not understand (or have chosen not to follow) the law. Among those most affected are children in foster and group homes, homeless children, children returning from juvenile placements, and immigrant children. In 2009, ELC seeks to obtain new state policies that will make the rules clear to schools and districts, plus an appeal process that families can use when problems develop.
Children in the child welfare system face a host of additional school problems. When their living arrangements change, they may be forced to change schools, even though the law says that they can continue where they are unless their needs require otherwise. County child welfare staff do not routinely monitor these students’ school performance, or seek help for those who are struggling. And while many of these children have disabilities, some do not have parents who can represent them in the special education process. In 2009 ELC will seek new policies from the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Education aimed at making sure that children in the child welfare system can stay in their school even when their living arrangements change; that their educational progress is monitored and addressed; and that "surrogate parents" are appointed to represent the needs of children with disabilities whose own parents are unavailable.
Location
Philadelphia
Geographical Area
Counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia; States: PA; Countries: USA
Intake Procedure
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
