Migrant Students at Risk of Falling Through the Cracks
Disappearing Act
The first child stopped coming to school in November. Then another, followed by another. At last count, five middle school kids living at the Floyd Bennett migrant shelter had vanished from their Brooklyn public school. The teachers had no idea where they went, and fear more may get lost in the shuffle as the outdoor tent encampment in East Brooklyn closes this week, and families will be assigned to other housing, or leave the shelter system.
A System in Crisis
City Hall confirmed that more than 850 children living at Floyd Bennett as of Dec. 3 were enrolled in New York City public schools. Yet professionals working with these children are concerned that they’re not accessing the education they need in a system where migrant students aren’t officially tracked.
The Challenges of Bilingual Education
Officially known as the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field, New York City’s only outdoor shelter for asylum-seeking families with children will officially close by Jan. 15. In an email exchange, a Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that New York City Public Schools does not track a child’s migration status or nationality. Instead, all children are required to have their parents fill out a home language survey so the school can provide English as a New Language, something most migrant new arrivals need, advocates say.
The Service Gap
Yet less than one-third of the city’s 1,800-plus schools offer bilingual services. Brooklyn, where Floyd Bennett is located, has only 133 bilingual schools. The city will not confirm how many schools the encampment’s children are attending, yet every parent from the shelter who spoke to this reporter said their kids went to schools in Brooklyn.
The Disappearing Act
When Yoselín, a former Floyd Bennett parent, helps her three children ages 7 to 11 with her homework, she relies heavily on her cell phone. "There’s no bilingual teacher at [my children’s] school," said Yoselín, a single mother from Venezuela. "All I get is a printed guide in English. Then I translate every one of their homework assignments using Google Translate."
The Consequences of Disruption
The disappearance of the Floyd Bennett children causes special concern, as even more might get lost in the system when they are reassigned to new shelters and schools. The city is planning to close dozens of other migrant shelters in the coming months, citing a decline in the number of new arrivals entering the system.
Conclusion
The city’s failure to track migrant students and provide adequate bilingual education services is a recipe for disaster. As the Floyd Bennett shelter closes and families are reassigned to new housing, it’s crucial that the city takes steps to ensure that these students are not left behind. The city must provide adequate resources and support to help migrant students access the education they need to succeed.
FAQs
Q: How many children living at Floyd Bennett are enrolled in New York City public schools?
A: More than 850 children living at Floyd Bennett as of Dec. 3 were enrolled in New York City public schools.
Q: Does the city track a child’s migration status or nationality?
A: No, the city does not track a child’s migration status or nationality. Instead, all children are required to have their parents fill out a home language survey so the school can provide English as a New Language.
Q: How many schools in Brooklyn offer bilingual services?
A: Only 133 bilingual schools in Brooklyn offer bilingual services.
Q: What is the city doing to ensure that migrant students are not lost in the system?
A: The city is working to ensure that students have a smooth transition to new living situations and continue their education, either at their current school or a new school, if they desire.
