SOCIAL IMPACTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON DISPLACED K–12 STUDENTS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN COASTAL ALABAMA COUNTIES: SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

Abstract

Hurricane Katrina devastated communities along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Gulf coast. Over 300,000 students were displaced and evacuees relocated throughout the United States. K–12 schools in Mobile and Baldwin counties, situated along coastal Alabama, hosted 3,681 students from the devastated areas. From an analysis of quantitative data and qualitative information obtained from school personnel, we summarize problems and issues that characterized displaced students, families, and host schools. Suggestions for immediate and long-term support for host K–12 schools and displaced families are provided along with suggestions for future research.

Funds for the collection of data were provided by The National Science Foundation (NSF) Award No. 06–006. Supplemental support for the completion of this research was also provided by the NSF, Office of Polar Research, Award No. 0002572. The authors acknowledge the technical support provided by Carol Naquin, Cecelia Martin, and Linda Burcham and data provided by the Mobile and Baldwin County School Districts. The support of John Steadman is also acknowledged and the comments of two anonymous reviewers improved the quality of this article. The findings and interpretations provided in this article are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect policy or position of the NSF or the school districts of Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

Notes

∗Adding up the Damage (2005).

∗∗Mobile and Baldwin County School District Data.

∗Mobile and Baldwin County School District Data.