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SDLA Compliance Resource

Provide a Written Homeless Eligibility, Enrollment, or School-Selection Decision and Appeal Notice

A plain-language dispute guide that keeps the pupil enrolled, routes the family or unaccompanied youth to the homeless liaison, and produces an understandable written decision with appeal rights.

  • Attendance
  • Homeless Education
Date(s)Immediately when an eligibility, school-selection, or enrollment dispute arises; resolve and route appeals expeditiously
Applies toSchool districts, COEs, and charter schools providing instruction to children or youth experiencing homelessness

In Plain Language: A parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth may initiate a dispute orally or in writing at the selected school. The pupil remains immediately enrolled in the school sought while the dispute is pending. The LEA must provide a complete but brief written explanation of its decision in understandable language, include the right to appeal to the COE, and connect the family or youth with the homeless liaison.

Why this matters

A verbal denial, residency form, or enrollment rejection does not protect appeal rights. Dispute procedures must preserve education during review, give the decision maker’s reasons, identify the next appeal step, and provide practical help to a family or youth who may lack documents, transportation, copying, or stable contact information.

Joint ownership

Process owner: LEA homeless liaison. Initial decision partners: school/LEA enrollment and program staff. Appeal partners: COE homeless liaison and, if further appealed, CDE Homeless Education Program.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Accept an oral or written dispute at the selected school and enroll the pupil immediately pending final resolution.
  2. 2. Refer the pupil/family to the LEA homeless liaison, who helps gather facts and prepare the dispute without imposing inaccessible documentation requirements.
  3. 3. Issue a brief, complete written decision stating the issue, facts considered, reason, result, continued-enrollment protection, and COE appeal right in understandable language.
  4. 4. If appealed, forward the complete file to the COE homeless liaison; CDE guidance states the COE should resolve within 10 working days.
  5. 5. If further appealed, route the record to CDE; current CDE guidance states a final determination within 20 working days of receipt.

Evidence to retain

  • Dispute initiation date/method and immediate-enrollment proof
  • Liaison referral and assistance provided
  • Facts/evidence reviewed and written LEA decision
  • Language/accessibility support and delivery evidence
  • COE/CDE appeal file, forwarding dates, and final decisions

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current law, official guidance, local policy, language access, individual circumstances, and the exact persisted attendance or pupil-record state before acting.