Dispute Resolution Checklist
Navigating McKinney-Vento Disputes: A Checklist Tool for Local Educational Agencies
The Navigating McKinney-Vento Disputes: A Checklist Tool for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) is a resource designed to support homeless education liaisons and other LEA stakeholders in overseeing the resolution of disputes under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Grounded in the McKinney-Vento Act and the U.S. Department of Education’s Non-Regulatory Guidance, this tool translates statutory requirements into actionable, step-by-step guidance for LEAs navigating an active dispute.
The resource includes three checklists:
- Checklist 1: Navigating the Full LEA-Level McKinney-Vento Dispute Life Cycle — A step-by-step guide covering every stage of an active dispute, from early mediation through SEA appeal and post-decision follow-up. See pages 3-6.
- Checklist 2: Issuing Written Notifications as Part of a McKinney-Vento Dispute — Recommendations to ensure that LEA written notifications meet McKinney-Vento Act requirements and reflect best practices recommended in federal guidance. See pages 7-8.
- Checklist 3: Best practices for LEA Dispute Resolution Policy Development — Recommendations to help LEAs create or refine their local dispute resolution policy in alignment with McKinney-Vento Act requirements and their SEAs dispute resolution process. See pages 9-10.
Together, these checklists will help LEAs meet McKinney-Vento requirements while ensuring that children and youth experiencing homelessness receive the rights, services, and support to which they are entitled through the dispute process.
Date Published: May 2026
