Migrant Education Program (MEP) Overview

1. Migrant Education Program(MEP) Overview

2. BACKGROUND 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.

3. BACKGROUND 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.

4. CHILD 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.

5. CHILD ELIGIBILITY 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 AND 2.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

6. CHILD 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 AND 4. The child has moved from one school district to another

7. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 1. 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.

8. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 2. Instructional Time When students move, they often miss instructional days between the time they leave one school and finally enroll in a new school

9. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 3. 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

10. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 4. English Language Development Parents of MEP students often do not speak English. Students are often English Language Learners

11. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 5. 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

12. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 6. Health MEP students frequently have unmet health needs including dental and vision issues

13. SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS 7. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Contact: Region 1 Migrant Education Office 1290 Ridder Park Drive, MC233 San Jose, CA 95131 408-453-6770

17. Thank You