The Impact of the "Day Without Immigrants" Protest on Dallas ISD
A Nationwide Phenomenon
More than 25% of Dallas students missed school on the "Day Without Immigrants" protest, according to district data. This phenomenon was not unique to Dallas, as nearly a quarter of Houston students also stayed home that day, according to data obtained by Houston Public Media.
The Protests and their Impact on Education
The "Day Without Immigrants" protest was a nationwide event, with advocates urging immigrants to stay home from work or school, temporarily shut down their businesses, and avoid shopping. The actions aimed to highlight the role of immigrants in American society amid President Donald Trump’s sweeping actions on immigration. The Trump administration had pledged mass deportations and launched a targeted crackdown on illegal immigration shortly after taking office.
Fear and Uncertainty among Families
The cascading actions triggered fear among many families. Teenagers, some of whom organized school walkouts in protest over the federal actions, have recounted having nightmares about coming home from class one day to find their parents gone. The fear and uncertainty created a sense of unease, with many families worried about the future.
The Impact on Dallas ISD
Dallas ISD’s attendance rate on February 3, the day of the protest, was 73%, prompting district officials to seek a waiver from the state to exclude the day from their average daily attendance calculations. Texas schools are funded based on how many students come to class. The district’s trustees voted to ask the Texas Education Agency for a waiver to exclude February 3 from their calculations of average daily attendance.
A Waiver Request
The waiver request was based on the assumption that parents kept their students at home on February 3 due to the organized protest. District officials can also apply for waivers when attendance dips due to bad weather, maintenance problems, or safety concerns. By seeking a waiver, school officials are able to protect their overall funding.
The DMN Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from various organizations and individuals. The lab aims to deepen the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many students missed school on the "Day Without Immigrants" protest?
A: More than 25% of Dallas students missed school on that day.
Q: What was the attendance rate in Dallas ISD on February 3?
A: The attendance rate was 73%.
Q: Why did the district seek a waiver from the state?
A: The district sought a waiver to exclude February 3 from their average daily attendance calculations, citing the organized protest as the reason.
Q: Can school officials apply for waivers for other reasons?
A: Yes, district officials can apply for waivers when attendance dips due to bad weather, maintenance problems, or safety concerns.
