(NAME-MCE) Increasing number of undocumented students prompts new guide for schools

[Anselmo Villanueva]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Will Potter   (202) 822-7823  wpotter at nea.org

September 23,
2009

Increasing number of undocumented students prompts new guide for schools

WASHINGTON—As the number of undocumented students in public K–12 schools
continues to rise, school districts are facing new challenges in their
efforts to make sure every child receives a quality education. The National
Education Association and National School Boards Association jointly
released a publication designed to help schools and educators address the
issue and meet the needs of these students.

Sixteen national education organizations have signed on to the guide, “Legal
Issues for School Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented
Children.” The publication will go to every school district in the United
States and is available on the NSBA and NEA Web sites. The guide provides
answers to 13 questions that school districts face as they navigate the
growing trend of undocumented student enrollment.

“America’s classrooms are changing, and we need to change too,” said NEA
President Dennis Van Roekel. “We must strengthen our school districts and
the services they can provide to undocumented students.”

NEA General Counsel Robert Chanin added, "This guide will enable school
districts to better understand the services that can and should be provided
to undocumented students. If we can help educate school districts in
advance, they will be able to act appropriately when an issue arises."

For more information:

nea.org/assets/docs/09undocumentedchildren.pdf

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional
organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers,
higher education faculty, education support professionals, school
administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.