Current Projects. The Massachusetts Appleseed Center’s current projects and priorities include:
- Education and School Discipline: Our signature project is entitled “Keep Kids In Class,” whereby we examined the intersection of school discipline, zero tolerance and youth entering the juvenile justice system. The goal is to mitigate the effects of school discipline proceedings on drop-out rates and its connection with juvenile delinquency. We will be publishing a report within the next few weeks entitled “Who Let The Kids Out?” Shortly thereafter, we will publish the first two pieces of work product that flow from the report: a parent guide to school discipline and a white paper on the legal review standards in education exclusion cases. We are actively developing new projects to build on the conclusions and recommendations that grow out of this important work. “The Keep Kids In Class” project is staffed by pro bono attorneys at Goodwin Procter LLP.
- Education of Homeless Children: The federal McKinney-Vento Act entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education. The Act requires that schools remove any barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Specifically, school districts are mandated to waive residency requirements, to eliminate requirements to produce medical records, such as immunizations, or academic records prior to enrollment, and to pay for transportation costs. In 2003, Massachusetts Appleseed created a coalition of legal and social services organizations to implement the federal law. This coalition, called the Massachusetts Advocates for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (MAEHCY), has worked cooperatively with the Massachusetts Department of Education to address these issues, including educating parents and school district leaders regarding the federal law’s requirements. MAEHCY continues to monitor the status of potential changes to the federal law.
- Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Unaccompanied homeless youth are adolescents who are homeless for the purposes of McKinney-Vento and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This includes, but is not limited to, children and youth who are living in runaway shelters; living in abandoned buildings, on the streets or in other inadequate accommodations; staying on the couches of friends or relatives; and denied housing by their parents. While the number of homeless youth is growing, unaccompanied homeless youth are often undercounted and underreported. Massachusetts Appleseed is partnering with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless to propose legislation to raise awareness of this problem and increase state funding for solutions. The proposed legislation is focused on housing stability, educational stability and developing best practices.
Applications. We are currently accepting applications and will continue to do so on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The Center expects to begin conducting interviews during the first half of February, 2011. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and brief writing sample (3-5 pages) on a topic of your choice to:
Joan Meschino
Executive Director
Massachusetts Appleseed Center
8 Winter Street, Suite 402
Boston, MA 02108
jmeschino@appleseednetwork.org.
