[CALIBK12] Textbooks for homeless

Fri Jan 30 09:41:37 PST 2009

Interestingly enough, my question was sent to from the school, to the CPS director, and he sent it on up to the state level.  I quoted both Williams which talks about not withholding texts, but not fiscal responsibility and ED Code 48904 which talks about guardians being fiscally responsible up to $10,000.00.  I want to see something in writing & so far no one has come up with anything.  I did find a nicely written policy for Illinois on fees and waivers, but unsuprisingly, nothing comparable for California.  So if you have anything Connie, I would appreciate your sending it on to me.

Still working hard for a few more months.  They are once again talking cuts.
Megan Fuller Aptos Junior High http://www.aptosjr.pvusd.net/library/ Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. -- Wernher von Braun 

CC: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.eduFrom: ode2living at aol.comDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:41:35 -0800Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Textbooks for homelessThe law passed has nothing to do with Williams and was passed very recently. 

Let me contact my AP and get everyone the particular code/law. All I know is we ran into this issue last semester with one of our homeless students, and we were unable to charge him anything for his FIVE lost textbooks left in a storage unit that the family lost due to nonpayment since they were homeless. 

I'll get back to you.
Connie

On Jan 29, 2009, at 5:36 PM, ladewig wrote:

Hello Calibers:
It seems only logical to me that the Williams bill means that every student must be issued a ("a" as in "one" or "one of each" if more than one kind are used) textbook for each class requiring them. I do not think it was ever meant to be understood that a student could "lose" textbooks ad nausea, ad infinitum and expect to be issued more without paying for them. If they can, there is one very angry taxpayer sitting here who will not remain silent or single! If the student has received ONE copy to take home, the criteria has been met. If textbooks are being sold on eBay or Craig's list (or whatever) the state Dept. of Education needs to explain to the proprietors of those lists that California students do not buy their own textbooks (in some other states they may) and therefore any listings (especially for single copies of textbooks) should be suspect and the county or school district notified.

This is the wording of California Ed Code 35186 which I received to post:
"1. There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials. For there to be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, each pupil, including English learners, must have a textbook or instructional material, or both, to use in class and to take home."

(# 2 – 4 refer to other issues).

I could see that if the student has forgotten or lost a book, he might be LOANED one for the duration of the class, and could certainly make use of a spare copy in the library or study hall at another point in the day to work on homework assignments. Since the student already HAS HAD a textbook issued to him (whether he is in possession of it or not) the requirements of the code appear to me to have been met. Why should the school be obligated to issue another? And another? (Of course, I am not a lawyer, just a common-sense taxpayer, so perhaps my interpretation is mistaken!).

Just wondering – are students advised when they receive these books HOW MUCH EACH COSTS? Perhaps if that was made known to them, they would be more careful. Might also be good info to add to the fall parent info or student handbook or at least on the school website for parental reference. Of course with "homeless" students other accommodation may need to be worked out, but unless a student is being whisked away without a moment's notice to gather his things, he should at least know WHERE his books are even if he doesn't have possession of them. Someone, whether it is a social worker, or someone from the school district, could certainly attempt to collect the textbooks, unless it was dangerous to do so.

I don't know about state-wide laws regarding the "homeless" but in Orange County, students who are "homeless" (which can mean living in a motel, car, etc.) have the right to continue their schooling at the same school throughout the school year so that they won't be bounced from school to school (which is always very stressful) so that they can better stay "on track" with the curriculum they started in and the stability of a teacher and classroom they know. To force them to "bounce" from school to school multiple times in the school year would also be a strain on the various schools' staff and resources.

Joanne Ladewig  (A.K.A. "Library Lady")
Library Media Tech
Lawrence Elementary, GGUSD
Garden Grove, California
shatz at verizon.net

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
Comments are my own and may not represent the views of GGUSD

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Thomas NixonSent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:36 AMTo: kjhein at comcast.net; Blanche Woolls; Megan FullerCc: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.eduSubject: Re: [CALIBK12] Textbooks for homeless

Williams is very specific. All students must have a textbook to take home. This is regardless of any other issue (like previously lost textbooks). You may not require textbooks be kept in the classroom and have that count under Williams.

I think Blanche's point was reasonable in terms of sell textbooks on the Internet. No, I don't think it is a matter of intelligence, but it certainly is a matter of ability and access.

Tom Nixon

--

Teacher Librarian

Tehipite Middle School

630 N. Augusta Street

Fresno, CA 93701

(559) 457-3420, x. 570

Web: http://www.tehipitelibrary.org

Blog: http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blogspot.com

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of kjhein at comcast.net [kjhein at comcast.net]Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:44 AMTo: Blanche Woolls; Megan FullerCc: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.eduSubject: Re: [CALIBK12] Textbooks for homeless

Blanche, Megan, et al, I have to weigh in on this one because I am involved with lost textbooks at my school right now and it is not a pretty picture. First, I hope "intelligent" was not the word you meant, Blanche. Homelessness certainly doesn't have anything to do with intelligence and intelligence doesn't have anything to do with Internet behavior that I know of. Second, shouldn't we work with all students to teach basic responsibility? If there is, in fact, a history of lost school property (Ed Code's term) for this student for which a parent or guardian would legally be responsible, perhaps the student could be brought in on the discussion before more books are checked out to him/her. Can books be left in the classrooms or the library for homework assignments? We keep a full set of textbooks for "library use only" that students often come in to use at lunch, before and after school. Of course you would have to research how the Williams Act affects this as well! . Third , who/where are the foster/group homes? Certainly the staff of those locations could be consulted regarding school property that is left behind. And finally, who is the staff person at school who knows this student best? We have not had counselors at our school in years but we do have a Student Services Coordinator and she seems to know all of these situations very well. That person should definitely be brought in on the discussion.

Sorry, a very long diatribe but with the current situation we are facing financially, I think it behooves all of California school districts to make sure that they are being as fiscally responsible as possible. And that includes collecting for lost property.

Kit Hein, LMT

College Park High School

Pleasant Hill

-------------- Original message -------------- From: Blanche Woolls <bwoolls at slis.sjsu.edu> > Hi Megan, > > Once I had a student who owed fines (before I got wise that fines weren't > a good idea) and payment for lost books. I was going to hold his grade > card until my principal told me that I really should go see where he > lived. The principal and the physical education teacher bought him a suit > to wear for 8th grade graduation because it was probably going to be the > only graduation he would ever attend. > > Is your student really intelligent enough to know how to sell those books > on the Internet? If he is moving around so much, how does he collect the > money? I guess I am in Mr. Cunningham's corner on this one. Your student > is truly between a rock and a hard place with his! life. Do everything you > can to help him get as much education as you can. Otherwise, the cost to > the community and state is going to be long and much more than a few lost > textbooks. > > Blanche > > On Wed, 28 Jan 2009, Megan Fuller wrote: > > > Does anybody know of a "law" or ed code, that says that "homeless" students > may not be > > held accountable for textbooks that are lost when they are abiding in a > foster, or > > group homes? I have been told that I must write off the cost, but this is the > third > > time through for this particular student who takes the books and leaves them > > behind. My speculation is that they are being sold on the internet. Does > anyone have a > > system for providing texts and storing them on campus for students in group > homes? > > Any ideas? > > > > Megan Ful! ler > > Aptos Junior High > > http://www.aptosjr.pvusd.net/library/ > > > > Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. > > -- Wernher von Braun > > > > > > >_______________________________________________CALIBK12 site listCALIBK12 at lists.sjsu.eduhttp://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/calibk12For information about the Calibk12 listserve, pleasevisit  http://www.calibk12.net.=
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