Credit Accrual

Due to their high residential and school mobility, homeless children and youth face unique challenges and barriers related to credit accrual. Class offerings, methods of calculating credits, and graduation requirements can vary greatly among school districts. Further, high schools often have "seat time" rules that prevent youth from earning credits if they enter the district late in the semester or leave early. This NCHE issue brief outlines district responsibilities for removing barriers related to credit accrual for homeless students, and suggests promising strategies for assisting these students with credit accrual and recovery.
Download Maximizing Credit Accrual and Recovery for Homeless Students. *updated Spring 2018*

This NCHE tip sheet summarizes the key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act related to credit accrual, provides credit accrual strategies at the State and local levels, and recommends credit accrual training and collaboration practices.
Download NCHE Credit Accrual Tip Sheet: SEA and LEA Strategies for Addressing Credit Accrual for Students Experiencing Homelessness.

This manual from the California School Boards Association and the California Department of Social Services provides a guide for school districts and child welfare agencies on how to help ensure that foster youth are able to earn credits for school work despite challenges associated with high residential or school mobility. The lessons learned are applicable to support other highly mobile student groups, including homeless and migrant students.
Download California's Partial Credit Model Policy: Improving the Educational Outcomes of Foster Youth.

This 2014 California state law requires school districts to provide school transition and graduation assistance for students experiencing homelessness through the awarding of partial or full credit.
View the California: AB 1806 law.

This 2015 Texas state law requires school districts to provide school transition and graduation assistance for students experiencing homelessness or in foster care through the awarding of partial or full credit.
View the Texas: SB 1494 law.

This 2017 Washington state law requires school districts to implement policies and procedures that eliminate barriers and facilitate the on-time grade level progression and graduation of students who are homeless or in foster care. Required procedures include the addressing of credit accrual through the awarding of partial or full credit.
Download the Washington: SB 5241 law.