Am concerned re: Displaced Kids and Meeting Educational Needs

[Whoa_Nelly]

With all the thousands of children displaced and relocated to new environs, am concerned about those children who were under the auspices of SpEd, and whose records are basically under water or have gone to the winds of Katrina,

I'm a retired SpEd teacher, one who has a lot of experience in identifying and/or rec recreating Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children who could get lost between the cracks.

I have been worrying about the kids who will be placed in other states' schools, and who will have to go through the process of SpEd identification again, if they are recognized at all.

Am wondering if there will be a need or a call for people, such as me, who could act as a liaison in facilitating the transition and seeking services for those children who will should be receiving SpEd services.

I am not sure if I can get to TX, or other places of need, but it seems to me that the schools where these children will be remanded, will need people with experience to ease the transition, not only for the children and their families, but for the extended burden of the schools themselves.

The transition/relocation for families is going to be a huge undertaking. What with the onus of states to provide funding for almost all education, the displacement and the increase of numbers into existing systems that have already set their yearly budgets based on previous demographics, is going to be overwhelming.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. OK am assumng this is not considered a big prob

From someone who has been on the inside of the school system, especially the many levels of SpEd, I know this is going to be a big deal for these kids.

Even a bigger deal...will it be addressed before it's too late for the children?>

[LWolf]

2. There will be many challenges for schools ahead.

For those areas that are taking in large numbers of refugees, finding classroom space at the last minute will be an issue. The budget is set, and the staff hired, for the coming year already. Hopefully, parents or family members enrolling the kids will be able to tell the new school that there was an IEP, the reason for the IEP, and some of the provisions, so that they have a little info to start with.

Some records may have survived, but it may be some time before they are sorted through. In the long run, all those kids will probably have to start from scratch to be "redocumented."

[LizMoonstar]

3. My parents' community

just finished expanding their school system to accomodate the baby boom that'll start school in a few years, and the area is taking a bunch of evacuees so their kids can get into school. It's all the way in Minnesota, but at least they'll be able to settle in and start school close to on time. I was very proud.

[Bridget Burke]

4. Perhaps you could contact school districts....

Houston Independant School District has a page for those wishing to contribute--including teachers who want to go back to work. Surely, someone with special talents could be useful.

www.houstonisd.org/HISD/portal/article/front/0,2731,20856_90333894_126391250,00.html

Since evacuees are now being distributed around the country, you might be able to find something closer.