North CarolinaMigrant Education

Identification and RecruitmentTraining

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What is the MigrantEducation Program (MEP)?

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

• The MEP provides formula grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) to establish or improve education programs for migrant children.

• These 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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What services does theMEP provide?

• The program provides migrant students with supplemental services to enable them to meet high academic challenges and performance standards that are expected for all children. The goal is to have as many migrant students as possible graduate from high school.

• Examples of services: tutorial, after school programs, summer programs, supportive services.

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Why migrant families?

• The legislation targets migrant families because a migratory lifestyle of moving within and across school and state district boundaries has a distinct impact on children’s opportunities to be successful in school.

• Children of migrant families often have poor school attendance, poor nutrition, inadequate housing, language barriers and health problems, all of which cause school interruptions and put them at risk of failing or dropping out of school.

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What is the definition of amigratory child? (Work)

According to sections 1115(b)(1)(A) and 1309(2) of the statute and section 200.81(d) of the regulations, a child is eligible for the MEP if:

• The child is younger than 22 and has not graduated from high school or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate (this means that the child is entitled to a free public education or is of an age below compulsory school attendance); and

• 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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What is the definition of amigratory child? (Movement)

According to sections 1115(b)(1)(A) and 1309(2) of the statute and section 200.81(d) of the regulations, a child is eligible for the MEP if:

• 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; and

• Has moved from one school district to another.

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Interviewing Steps(Getting Ready)

Finding migrant children and youth.• Knowing the area, finding out why and when migrant

families move to the LEA, and identifying where families are likely to reside.

• Next, decisions are made on when to begin recruiting and where to concentrate recruitment efforts.

• Then, contact resource areas.– Schools (Occupational Surveys)– Pre-K Programs (Head Start)– Health Programs (Clinics)– State Agencies (Cooperative Extension, Telamon)– Local Growers (Crew Leaders)

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Interviewing Steps(Introductions)

• How the recruiter presents himself/herself can be the most important aspect of the interviewing process; it can open or close the door.

• Identify yourself as being affiliated with the school system and present your credentials. Explain briefly the program's purpose.

• It has been recommended not to use the word “migrant” in the initial contact with the family.

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Interviewing Steps(Rapport)

Developing a good rapport with the family is crucial in obtaining information.

• Smile. Greet the family with a genuine and friendly smile. Be yourself with the family. Let them know you are someone who cares and who is there for support.

• Talk to them with respect and courtesy. Never, ever talk down to them. People can tell if you are sincere and will respond accordingly. Let them know you are there in the interest of their child. Always thank the parents for their time meeting with you.

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Interviewing Steps(Determine Eligibility)

• Depending on the information gathered, the recruiter must decide whether the family/worker meets eligibility criteria.

• The decision on eligibility must be able to be confirmed by any other recruiter/interviewer, in compliance with the state quality assurance system.

• If the family is eligible, inform them. If not, explain why and refer them to any applicable programs/agencies.

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Interviewing Steps(COE/CNA)

• Explain to the family that the COE is confidential and is required for enrollment in the program.

• Give details about what the MEP services are in your LEA; specifically, what the MEP can do for the family or the child.

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Questions/Comments