Hurricane Katrina

Letter from Reg Weaver to Margaret Spellings

September 1, 2005

Secretary Margaret Spellings
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202

Dear Secretary Spellings:

Our membership is very concerned about their students and colleagues in the public schools that have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina, and I want you to know we are available to help the Department in its efforts to assist.

I understand it could be months before displaced children are back in their assigned schools, but in the meantime, schools in Texas and other areas of the nation where families have temporarily relocated are opening their classrooms to receive displaced children. NEA's members -- teachers and education employees -- are eager to provide these children with an environment for teaching and learning and to try to bring some stability and security into their lives. There is no better example of the greatness of America's public schools than when these children are welcomed to new schools next week. I assure you we will be focused on leaving no child behind!

I believe it would be prudent if, in these extraordinary times, the Department of Education also considers how this situation will impact the many teachers and school employees in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida where the hurricane hit, as well as the schools in Texas and other areas where the new students will be attending. In addition to the personal impact of the hurricane on them and their families, our members are concerned about the implications of No Child Left Behind's (NCLB) adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements on their students and schools. Until these children, their teachers, districts and families gain their footing under these extremely difficult circumstances, I encourage you to implement the provisions in NCLB that deal with the impact of natural disasters on testing and AYP.

We would also ask that states such as Texas and others who are not physically affected by Hurricane Katrina, yet are receiving these children, be granted the same levels of flexibility and not be adversely affected or otherwise penalized for accepting these children and students into their school systems.

And finally, educators in these affected areas have been preparing to meet the provisions of NCLB associated with highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals. Many of these talented and committed individuals will now be unable to fulfill their requirements due to this natural disaster. I would implore you to please extend the circle of flexibility to include these provisions.

President Bush has said, "the folks on the Gulf Coast are going to need the help of this country for a long time." This would be one significant way in which we could join together and take this first step toward lending a hand of help to the children and educators of this great nation in their time of need.

Sincerely,

Reg Weaver, President
National Education Association