skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Agreement Opens School Doors to Immigrant Children

play audio
Play

Tuesday, March 1, 2016   

WESTBURY, N.Y. - The Westbury School District on Long Island has agreed to end its unwritten policy of delaying or denying school enrollment to children arriving from Central and South America.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office was investigating claims that admissions for those 16 and older were often delayed by up to six months, or diverted to non-degree programs.

Maryann Slutsky, executive director of the group Long Island WINS, says under state law, all children have the right to meaningfully participate in educational services and programs.

"All public school districts have a legal obligation to ensure that English-learning students have an equal opportunity to participate, and that means in all school programs," she says.

Westbury is one of 22 districts across the state to reach agreements with the Attorney General's office on policy changes.

According to Slutsky, a major feature of the settlement will be new training for staff.

"A lot of the district employees didn't know what the legal rights were for these children, so they were just kind of making it up as they went along," she says.

Other provisions of the settlement include educational enrichment for students whose enrollment is delayed more than 14 days, and expanded outreach in parents' native language.

On Long Island, Slutsky says, the affected children are mostly from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, and entered the U.S. as unaccompanied minors to join family who had preceded them.

"They're fleeing horrific violence in their home countries," she says, "and they really need to be met with compassion, and with support."


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Farmers markets encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables, which is much more climate-friendly compared with a meat-based diet. (Corey/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient/Just and Climate-Friendly …


Environment

play sound

As the Trump administration considers oil, gas and mining on lands owned by all Americans, including in national monuments designated under the …

Health and Wellness

play sound

An Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty. The proposal comes after an …


If passed, Senate Bill 1 would prohibit public universities from requiring diversity, equity and inclusion training for students, faculty and staff. Event photo credit Ohio Student Association.

play sound

Ohio Senate Bill 1 is drawing strong reactions across the state, particularly from students in higher education. The bill, which its supporters say …

Social Issues

play sound

A January report shows that in rural counties home to large numbers of American Indians, including in Montana, people are more likely to rely on …

Virginia motorists collide with many animals, including bald eagles, according to Meg Gammage-Tucker, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Virginia is the ninth-likeliest state for a driver to hit wildlife but environmental advocates are working to change it. One in 76 people in …

Social Issues

play sound

Whether it's pressure from inflation or health-care costs eating away at savings, a reliable "nest-egg" is still up in the air for many Americans…

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Rebekah Sager for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvani…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021