Best Interest & Placement

Tools for Best Interest & Placement Decisions

If an M-V eligible student moves out of district every attempt will be made to continue school placement at the student’s school of origin, unless factors or circumstances suggest a school of origin placement is not in the best interest of the student. Any placement decision that does not continue attendance at a student’s school of origin will be communicated to the student’s parent or guardian in writing indicating the conditions and reasons recommending an alternative placement. This written notice will also include a referral the RSU 13 Homeless Dispute Resolution Process.  If a dispute resolution process is initiated, student placement at the school of origin will be maintained pending the dispute process outcome.

The following factors are considered in best placement decisions and involve the RSU 13 Homeless Liaison, parents or acting guardians, unaccompanied youth, school of origin staff, partnering school district staff, and sponsoring agencies as appropriate and necessary.

For Unaccompanied Youth, the following should be used: 

Dispute Resolution Process 

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Maine Education Rules Chapter 14, RSU 13 is responsible for evaluating a student’s eligibility for homeless education services.  For students deemed eligible, RSU 13 must then determine whether it is in the student’s best interest to continue attending the school of origin or transition to a school available based on the student’s current residence.  It is RSU 13’s responsibility to make the best interest determination when it is the School Administrative Unit of Origin, but the Department may also make this determination as the Administrative Unit of Current Residence upon a family’s request or if the SAU of Origin does not do so promptly.  RSU 13vwill always aim to involve parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth in its eligibility and best interest decision-making, but ultimately the responsibility for making these determinations rests with School Department.  The following dispute resolution process is meant to be used when the school’s decision contradicts the wishes of the family.

In those cases RSU 13 will provide the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth with a clear written explanation, using language that is accessible to the recipient, of the reasons for its determination and will inform the parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth of their right to request dispute resolution.  Should dispute resolution be requested, the student is assumed to be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act and may attend the family’s preferred school for the full time that the determination remains in dispute.  RSU 13  will carry out this process expeditiously, fairly, respectfully, and confidentially to minimize uncertainty and disruption to the education of the student.