Answer: The barrier to enrollment here appears to be the father’s work schedule, rather than homelessness per se. What does the district do when parents cannot take off work to complete school enrollment procedures? Is there a process for these students generally? It would seem that this father should be able to use a similar process.
Nonetheless, McKinney-Vento students must be enrolled immediately under the McKinney-Vento Act, even if they cannot produce paperwork that is typically required for enrollment, including guardianship paperwork. 42 USC 11432(g)(3)(C). In addition, local educational agencies must review and revise policies that act as barriers to enrollment for homeless students, including guardianship policies. 42 USC 11432(g)(1)(H) & (I). The bottom line is that the student must be provided with immediate enrollment, which includes attending classes and participating fully in school activities. The enrollment procedure must ensure this– whether through the aunt enrolling the student, or the enrollment process being modified another way to remove the barrier for this parent.