State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is offering direction to schools affected by the wildfires in Southern California that began in mid-October, 2007. At the height of the disaster, up to 1.3 million students and 62,000 education-related staff were affected by the wildfires.
Shelter and Other Assistance
- State: Local California Resources [http://www.calfires.com/] (Outside Source).
- Federal: How to Get Help [http://www.fema.gov/hazard/wildfire/ca_2007.shtm] (Outside Source).
- Other: American Red Cross Evacuation Centers for Southland Wild Fires [http://www.oc-redcross.org/article.aspx?&a=585] (Outside Source), or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-27677).
- Disaster Resources - Department Information
Assistance for Parents and Students
- Coping with Disaster [http://emergency.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/] (Outside Source).
- Finding friends and family [http://www.usa.gov/californiafires.shtml] (Outside Source).
- Health Risks Associated with Smoke from Southern California Fires [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/news/Pages/ph07-52.aspx] (Outside Source).
- Health and Safety information [http://www.hhs.gov/californiafires] (Outside Source).
- If you have lost your home and have to enroll your child in another school district: Temporarily Displaced Students (NCLB) [http://www.sdcoe.net/news/07-10-23-nclb.asp] (Outside Source).
Turning Tragedy into Teachable Moments for Teachers
Assistance for Schools
Average Daily Attendance
School facilities will not lose Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding if they are used as community shelters or forced to close because of the wildfires, because the California Education Code allows the Superintendent to authorize ADA credit for the days that schools are closed. Districts may also receive ADA credit for all purposes and instructional time credit for the days and minutes lost due to an emergency closure. ADA credit and approval of school closures may be obtained by submitting three copies of Form J-13A. To download a copy of Form J-13A, please visit Form J13A (DOC; 46KB; 6pp.). For more information on ADA, please visit Management Advisory 90-01 - Attendance.
Class Size Reduction
As a result of the Southern California wildfires in 2003, a law was passed – resulting in Education Code Section 52124(e) – that provided temporary relief to school districts in the form of a reduction in the penalties that would be paid when a class participating in the Class Size Reduction program, exceeded the maximum average of 20.4 students. Similar legislation would be required if this wildfire emergency results in larger class sizes at schools participating in the Class Size Reduction program. O'Connell is seeking a legislative solution that would amend existing law, so CDE can provide immediate relief to schools in the midst of a crisis without having to wait for new laws to be passed.
Food
Students who have lost their homes can be immediately classified as "homeless," and get free meals at schools or at congregate feeding centers. Also, schools that closed down because of the disaster can get reimbursed for fixed expenses related to providing the food:
- Disaster Relief Guidelines - School Nutrition.
- Information Alert: Natural Disaster Guidance - Summer Food Service.
- Information Alert: Disaster Relief Provisions - Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Information Alert: Disaster Relief Provisions FAQs - Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
School Facilities
The Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) has State Relocatable Classrooms that are available for emergency housing for school districts that have lost classrooms due to the fires in Southern California. For more information, please visit Office of Public School Construction [http://www.opsc.dgs.ca.gov/default.htm] (Outside Source), keyword "Emergency Portables."
If schools are damaged or destroyed, please visit What's New - School Facility, for information on awarding construction bids or other bids for school facilities.
Testing
The situation in Southern California may have disrupted testing operations in some school districts:
- California English Language Development Test (CELDT) test administration Annual Assessment window closes October 31, 2007. For more information, please visit California English Language Development Test (CELDT).
- California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) receipt of test materials for test administration on November 6-7, 2007. For more information, please visit California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE).
- Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program Order Management Workshops.
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) administration to 13 year olds and arrangements for administration in January 2008.
The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes the need for flexibility and is working with each of our test contractors to make necessary arrangements to support school districts during this difficult time.
Waivers
Information on Williams Case lawsuit settlement requirements for wildfire-affected districts on the sufficiency of instructional materials and teacher misassignments:
News Releases
- November 12, 2007: Southern California Wildfire Tragedy Toll - Year 2007.
- October 29, 2007: Relief for Schools Affected by Wildfires - Year 2007.
- October 22, 2007: O'Connell Details Assistance for Schools Closed by Wildfires - Year 2007.
- October 21, 2007: Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Southern California Counties Due to Wildfires [http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/proclamation/7789/] (Outside Source).
- October 23, 2007: President Declares Emergency Disaster for California [http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41426] (Outside Source).
