BOULDER, CO (September 18, 2018) – Welcome to the second year of podcasts featuring conversations with educational researchers who are investigating some of the most critical issues currently affecting U.S. schools.
In September’s NEPC Education Interview of the Month, Greg Smith discusses the impact of the immigration enforcement regime on U.S. schools with Patricia Gándara, co-director of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA.
Professor Gándara and her colleagues recently completed a study of the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies on schools, looking at the effects on children from immigrant families as well as the consequences for their teachers, principals, counselors, and fellow classmates.
The study found, not surprisingly, that millions of students are suffering. Effects include behavioral changes, increased absenteeism, academic decline, and less commitment to schooling. Enforcement policies have also had a major indirect effect on the other students. Seeing their friends abruptly disappearing from the classroom leads to agitation and concern. Teachers described the stress of not knowing the best way to handle parents and classmates.
With the enforcement regime affecting a much broader proportion of our citizens than is generally conveyed by the media or public officials, Smith and Gándara discuss policy recommendations for school boards, policymakers, Congress, and the courts, which includes keeping communities apprised of their rights and targeting funding for outreach to the community.
A new NEPC Education Interview of the Month, hosted by Gregory A. Smith, Lewis and Clark College Emeritus Professor of Education, will be released each month from September through May.
Don’t worry if you miss a month. All NEPC Education Interview of the Month podcasts are archived on the NEPC website and can be found here.
Coming Next Month
In October, Greg’s guest will be Dr. Gordon Lafer of the University of Oregon, who will focus on the fiscal impact of charter schools on school district budgets.
Stay tuned to NEPC for smart, engaging conversations about education policy.
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