"We Were Expecting More": The "Influx" of Puerto Rican Students Post–Hurricane Maria, a Political Spectacle

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Principals' Responses to Changes in Politics and School Demographics

Abstract

The principalship has increased in complexity with new issues currently affecting principals' schools (Goldring et al., 2009). Recently, principals were expected to address a potentially unprecedented influx of students at any given moment. Media organizations predicted an unprecedented influx of students from Puerto Rico to New York City. The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how principals responded to the influx of Puerto Rican students to their schools post-Hurricane Maria. The findings of this qualitative study demonstrate the responses of the principals to the influx. By presenting how principals responded in three distinct ways, I argue that their responses are a result of a political spectacle crafted during a particular political climate.

Author

• Patricia M Virella, Montclair State University