*As a school of choice, Agora Cyber Charter School does not dispute school placement.
PDE must ensure that LEAs comply with requirements set forth in the McKinney-Vento Act including ensuring immediate enrollment, providing written notice to families concerning school selection, enrollment decisions and providing enrollment and pendency in the school of choice while a dispute is being resolved. PDE has developed procedures for the resolution of disputes regarding enrollment, school selection, homeless status and complaints of non-compliance with legal requirements pertaining to the education for homeless children and youths (for further information, visit www.education.pa.gov/homeless to see the Education for Homeless Youth Basic Education Circular, 42 U.S. §11432(g)(2)(A)), under Basic Education Circulars on the home page).
There are two dispute levels:
Level 1 – A dispute raised with an LEA, where a parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth initiates the dispute. The LEA must issue a written disposition of the dispute within 20 business days after the liaison is notified of the dispute. The disposition is provided to the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth to explain the basis for the decision and advise the parent, guardian or youth of the right to appeal. All LEAs must inform families of the basis of their decision regarding enrollment or school selection, notify families of their right to remain in their school of choice pending resolution of the dispute, and explain the procedures for challenging the decision of the LEA.
Level 2 – A complaint filed with a McKinney-Vento Coordinator when a parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth is dissatisfied with the LEA’s disposition of a dispute or raising any issue of McKinney-Vento Act noncompliance files a complaint or appeal with a McKinney-Vento regional or site coordinator or with the state coordinator. For a list of coordinators, visit http://homeless.centerschool.org. The child or youth remains in the school in which he or she is seeking enrollment until the complaint or appeal is resolved or until a disposition from a McKinney-Vento coordinator is received. Any dispute raised by a homeless family or youth via telephone, letter or any mode of communication is treated as a complaint.
