Students experiencing homelessness have certain legal rights, under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, that may affect registration and transfer procedures.  Matagorda ISD staff will help facilitate the enrollment process and conduct assessments to determine student needs.

Students who lack fixed, regular, or adequate night-time shelter or live in any of the conditions below may qualify for services as a displaced student.  The McKinney-Vento Act and Texas State Law guarantee that students can enroll in school if they live: 

• In a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter, or transitional living program)
• In a motel, hotel, or in weekly-rate housing
• In a house or apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss
• In temporary foster care or with an adult who is not a student's parent or legal guardian
• In sub-standard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or no heat)
• or with friends or family because the student is a runaway or an unaccompanied youth.

 Your Child's Educational Rights if experiencing homelessness: 

• You are not required to provide proof of residency or to provide a permanent address and schools cannot prevent you from enrolling.
• Lack of school records cannot prevent a homeless student from enrolling in a new school.  Ask the school officials for help in getting your child's records from previous schools.
• Homeless students may also continue to attend the school which they were last enrolled even if they moved away from district.
• Homeless students also qualify for Child Nutrition Programs (free and reduced-priced breakfast and lunch)