Migrant Education Migrant Education ProgramProgram

(MEP)(MEP) Overview Overview

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is authorized by Part C of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), reauthorized in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

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BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Grants assist States in improving educational opportunities for migrant children to help them succeed in the regular school program, meet the challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards that all children are expected to meet, and graduate from high school.

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CHILD ELIGIBILITYCHILD ELIGIBILITY

Children are eligible to receive MEP services if they meet the definition of “migratory child” and if the basis for their eligibility is properly recorded on a certificate of eligibility (COE) or other written or electronic form.

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CHILD ELIGIBILITYCHILD ELIGIBILITYA child is eligible for the MEP if:

1.The child is younger than 22 and has not graduated from high school or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate

AND2.The child is a migrant agricultural worker or

a migrant fisher or has a parent, spouse, or guardian who is a migrant agricultural worker or a migrant fisher

AND

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CHILD ELIGIBILITYCHILD ELIGIBILITY

3.The child has moved within the preceding 36 months in order to obtain (or seek) or to accompany (or join) a parent, spouse, or guardian to obtain (or seek) temporary or seasonal employment in qualifying agricultural or fishing work

AND4.The child has moved from one school

district to another

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS1. Educational Continuity

When students move from place to place they often encounter different expectations, curriculum, course requirements, assessments, etc. This is especially difficult for high school students who are trying to accrue credits and meet graduation requirements.

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS2. Instructional Time

When students move, they often miss instructional days between the time they leave one school and finally enroll in a new school

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS3. School Engagement

Research shows that feeling part of the school community is an important protective factor and predictor of school success. When students change schools frequently, they often feel like the new kid who doesn’t really belong

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS4. English Language Development

Parents of MEP students often do not speak English. Students are often English Language Learners

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS5. Education Support in the Home

Parents often work long hours; living conditions are often crowded and noisy; often there are no books in the home; often parents have low levels of education

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS

6. Health

MEP students frequently have unmet health needs including dental and vision issues

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SEVEN AREAS OF SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTSSTUDENTS7. Access to Services

Families often do not know how to access community services or participate in the American school system. They are often isolated because of lack of transportation or language barriers

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The Migrant Education Program supports and supplements instructional and support services for districts in the following ways:

Advocates for students

Coordinates programs with districts based on migrant student needs

Supports the Migrant Education School Readiness Program, ages 3-5

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Supports K-12 educational programs: before or after school interventions, transportation, special programs

Supports districts to ensure High School graduation for both attending and non-attending students

Supports and coordinates health education and referrals for MEP students

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FOR ADDITIONAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONINFORMATION

Contact:Region 1 Migrant Education Office1290 Ridder Park Drive, MC233San Jose, CA 95131408-453-6770

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Thank YouThank You

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