What Can We Do?

As this episode goes to publish, there are thousands of kids sitting in detention centers because of their immigration status. This is unconscionable and left us wondering what we can do. Two teachers of the year speak with Shanna Peeples about what they are doing to support these children.

Mandy Manning and Ivonne Orozco share how all of us can get involved with addressing this child welfare and human rights issue. You can learn more about the campaign at www.teachersagainstchilddetention.org.

Additional ways you can help are with RAICES ( Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) where there are opportunities for students and teachers to take action to support migrant children and with KIND (Kids in Need of Defense). Here is a list of other organizations who are engaged in this work.

NEWS REPORTING:

• Educating Migrant Children: 6 Things to Know via Education Week
• New York Times investigation of detention center contractor Southwest Key; and an update
• Database of reporting on migrant children from the Texas Tribune

CIVIL/HUMAN RIGHT TO EDUCATION:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (signed by U.S. in 1948) here;
Article 26: (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

Education and the 14th Amendment via the Constitutional Rights Foundation

EDUCATOR ETHICAL CODES:

Texas Education Agency’s
The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community. This chapter shall apply to educators and candidates for certification.

e) The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Abuse--Includes the following acts or omissions:
(A) mental or emotional injury to a student or minor that results in an observable and material impairment in the student's or minor's development, learning, or psychological functioning;
(B) causing or permitting a student or minor to be in a situation in which the student or minor sustains a mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in the student's or minor's development, learning, or psychological functioning;

3 B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.

(D) Standard 3.4. The educator shall not exclude a student from participation in a program, deny benefits to a student, or grant an advantage to a student on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national origin, religion, family status, or sexual orientation.

National Education Association’s
4. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.

Association of American Educators

The professional educator makes a constructive effort to protect the student from conditions detrimental to learning, health, or safety.

Mandatory reporting laws

Laws in 15 States make clear that, regardless of any policies within the organization, the mandatory reporter is not relieved of his or her responsibility to report.

In 17 States, an employer is expressly prohibited from taking any action to prevent or discourage an employee from making a report. (Texas is included in both instances)

Mandatory reporters are required to report the facts and circumstances that led them to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.