Where do I find my school district and the state office for public instruction?
With children in public school, it is important to know what your school district is and how to find their contact information. Click here to use your address or zip code to find information about your local school district.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is responsible for providing structure and guidance to public school districts across the state. To find out more information about the NCDPI click here
What is a homeless liaison?
Each school district has a representative that helps ensure the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act is being implemented properly. The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act passed by Congress entitles children who are experiencing homelessness to a free and appropriate public education and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Under the McKinney-Vento Act every homeless student has the following rights:
- Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.
- Attend either the local school or the school of origin, if this is in their best interest; the school of origin is the school the child attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled.
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records.
- Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records.
- Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
- Attend school with children not experiencing homelessness; a school can not segregate a student because he or she is homeless.
To find out more about the homeless liaison program in North Carolina schools click here.
Need more information?
If you didn’t find what you need on this page or need more information on local resources, dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. Our call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Last updated 1/6/2023
