Maxey Information Services

Jeb Stuart High School

Falls Church, VA

A Case Study of the Potential Impact of Demographic Change 

 

There is a need to assess the potential impact of demographic change on our public schools systems in communities that are destination areas for Central America origin immigrant children.  These children are classified as Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) by the Refugee Resettlement Office at Health and Human Services.  From January through July, 2014, more than 37,000 children have been sponsored and now live in US communities.  The presentation below provides an overview of the situation and focuses on one high school to map and discuss the potential impact due to the arrival of these children.  In order to be compassionate and caring, we must be ready to understand the challenge and ready to respond with the resources needed at the local level to address these changes.  The objective of the presentation is to highlight the potential impact and suggest ways we can work with our leaders to address this situation.  This approach -- to assess, estimate impact, and plan a response -- should be implemented across the US in the communities to which these children are being sent.