Answer: Preschool transportation is a new issue that is causing a lot of confusion. Preschools have been added to the school of origin definition by the Every Student Succeeds Act, so that transportation to a preschool of origin now is REQUIRED, as long as remaining in that preschool is in the child’s best interest.
Full Question: If you could, please kindly comment on each of the following assertions about McKinney-Vento preschool transportation that I have seen or read or heard somewhere:
MCKINNEY-VENTO PRESCHOOL TRANSPORTATION:
- is for ONLY those that were previously enrolled prior to becoming homeless
- applies ALSO to students enrolled in a school OTHER THAN the school of origin
- applies only to SPECIAL EDUCATION students, not REGULAR EDUCATION students
- remains
- non-required
- and unfunded
Full Answer: Preschool transportation is a new issue that is causing a lot of confusion. Preschools have been added to the school of origin definition by the Every Student Succeeds Act, so that transportation to a preschool of origin now is REQUIRED, as long as remaining in that preschool is in the child’s best interest. This is true, even if the school district does not otherwise provide preschool transportation. So if a preschooler becomes homeless, and is staying in that preschool of origin, transportation is required. If that preschooler then moves into permanent housing, the child can remain in the preschool of origin for the remainder of the academic year, and transportation is required.
For other preschools (that are not school of origin), comparable transportation is required. Title I, Part A funds can be used to pay for preschool transportation (both to preschool of origin and other preschools; both regular Title IA funds and Title IA homeless set-aside funds).
And we just happen to have a document that should help: this flow chart provides a guide to understanding pre-school and the McKinney-Vento Act.