Hurricane Katrina destroyed or severely damaged thousands of schools and universities in the Gulf coast states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. That left over 250,000 students with no school to attend. It is going to be months, perhaps years, before these students can return to the schools they used to attend. Furthermore, thousands of students have been relocated to temporary housing in communities far removed from their original neighborhoods. Who knows when, if ever, they will return.
These children need to be in school. They need the stability and comfort which comes from a 'normal' routine. Fortunately the education community is responding with unprecedented generosity and speed to place as many students as possible wherever it can. Here are some ways to find a school.
Public K-12 Schools
Search the NCES (National Center for Educational Statistics) database to find a school district convenient to your new location. Call and ask which schools are accepting students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. School districts are waiving the usual rules so that students can be admitted promptly. That is because the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires districts to enroll homeless children immediately, even if they don't have the customary medical and academic records.
Private Schools
The NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) has a list of schools which have offered places for students of private schools closed by Katrina. Most are waiving or reducing fees for the fall term or even longer.
Universities and Colleges
Hundreds of universities and colleges have stepped up to the plate to offer places for students who were attending Gulf coast institutions of higher learning. The American Council on Education (ACE) and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) have created a dedicated Web site called CampusRelief.org. It lists over 800 colleges and universities which have places for displaced students both short and long term. My advice: act now. Those places will be snapped up.
Do You Have Room For A Displaced Student and/or Family?
If you can provide shelter for students and families, no matter where you live, please let your local school district office know. Also contact the local private schools, colleges and universities. They all will need help housing displaced students and families. You can also post on KatrinaLodging.Net. It's a well-organized list of housing offers from around the country.
Are You a Displaced Teacher Looking for a Job?
Thousands of teachers were displaced by the hurricane. Their schools are damaged extensively and not likely to open until 2006 if then. If you are a teacher looking for employment, contact private and public schools wherever you can. Contact employment agencies. Many of these such as Cal/West Educators Placement are providing assistance without a fee for their services.
Resources
Louisiana Department of Education
Information about plans to enrol displaced students and to utilize teachers/support staff in operational schools in Louisiana.
Alabama Department of Education
Alabama DOE has plans in place to receive displaced students.
Mississippi Department of Education
The DOE's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Page has plenty of helpful information for students and teachers alike.
Archdiocese of New Orleans
News and recovery plans for the 108 schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Association of Christian Schools International
News and information on the 30 member schools in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
