Answer: The McKinney-Vento Act uses the terms “school” and “local educational agency” very clearly, distinctly, and intentionally. The definition of “school of origin” does not include the phrase “local educational agency.” It only includes the word “school,” per below. If Congress meant “school of origin” to mean “local educational agency of origin,” it would have written the law to include it.
“(I) SCHOOL OF ORIGIN DEFINED- In this paragraph:
(i) IN GENERAL.– The term `school of origin’ means the school that a child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled, including a preschool.
(ii) RECEIVING SCHOOL.—When the child or youth completes the final grade level served by the school of origin, as described in clause (i), the term “school of origin” shall include the designated receiving school at the next grade level for all feeder schools.” 42 USC 11432(g)(3)(I)(i)-(ii).