Welcome to

A surge of Haitian students into the Florida school system is costing the state millions. 15-hundred students who were displaced by last month’s earthquake have already enrolled in Florida schools with an estimated 2-hundred signing up daily. As Whitney Ray tells us, the state is asking the federal government for money to help to pay for the student surge, but many say the help can’t come soon enough.

Hundreds of Creole speaking students are entering the Florida schools systems. It costs an estimated 7-thousand dollars to educated each of the new Haitian students, adding to the financial burden already facing cash strapped schools. The governor is confident the federal government will foot the bill.

“They have been very corporative, primarily through Secretary Sebelius’ office in making sure that Florida is made whole to use her words,” said Crist.

With 15-hundred students enrolled and the number growing the burden could reach far beyond dollars and cents, and into the realm of school performance.

Legislation to exempt the test scores of new Haitian students from a schools overall grade is being debated.

Language barriers and a subpar education for some of the students will likely result in low scores. State Senator Dave Aronberg says it wouldn’t be fair to punish schools for opening their doors to the students.

“Teacher and the schools should not be blamed if the scores are lower because we have new students’ who don’t know English,” said Aronberg.

While the news is bad for the state’s budget, it’s good for any Creole speaking teachers looking for work.

The influx will also cause problems for schools trying to meet class size requirements. School administrators have to start hiring teachers and estimating cost connected with student populations in April. Many will have to find money for more teachers.