Migrant Education Program Morgan Hill Unified School District
What is the Migrant Educational Program? Among the neediest students in California are migratory youth children, who change schools throughout the year, often crossing school district and state lines, to follow work in agriculture fishing, dairies, or the logging industry. Since 1966, federal and state laws in California have recognized the unique challenges migrant students face and provide support for educational programs and services that are designed to help students and their families overcome the obstacles they face because of poverty and disrupted educational experiences. Migrant workers seek temporary or seasonal work in agriculture, fishing or related industries, including food processing. They follow the growing seasons across the country and are largely responsible for the cultivation and harvest of fruits, vegetables and many other food products. Many migrant workers have an average income below the national poverty line. While many migrant families consider California to be their home base, others come from Texas, Missouri, Florida, Mexico and other states and countries. What is the Purpose of the Migrant Education Program? Helps reduce the educational disruptions that result from repeated relocations. Provide coordinated educational and support services. Advocacy and outreach activities for migrant children and their families, including informing of, or helping such children and families gain access to, other education, health, nutrition and social services. Ensure migrant children who move among the states are not adversely affected by differences in state education programs or requirements. Ensures migrant students are exposed to the same educational levels as other students. Design programs to help migrant children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems and other factors that inhibit their ability to do well in school. Professional development programs, including mentoring, for teachers and other program personnel. Prepares migrant students in making a successful transition to college education or employment.
Who Qualifies? To qualify for migrant services, a child must have moved with a parent or guardian across school district boundaries in order that the parents, or guardian, might secure temporary or seasonal employment in an agricultural or fishing activity. Upon verification of eligibility, students qualify for 3 years. A child is eligible for the Migrant Education Program if he/she meets the following criteria: Is between the ages of 3 and 22 and has not graduated from high school. If they or their parents or guardians are migrant workers in the agricultural, dairy, or fishing industries. If their family has moved for the purpose of finding temporary or seasonal employment within the past 3 years. Has moved from one school district to another. Facts about California s Migrant Students California is home to three-hundred and thirty-three thousand migrant students. 43% of the state s migrant children live in the Central Valley. 25% live in the Central Coast. 70% of the migrant students are in grades K-12. The remaining 30% are out-of-school youth or preschool age. 98% of the migrant students are Hispanic. The majority have limited English. In 2004-2005, less than 15% of the state s migrant students scored above standard level in English Language Arts. 28% scored above standard level in Mathematics. Migrant Program Services The goal of Migrant Education is to help students meet California and local standards for students achievement through educational instructions and health demonstrate educational needs in reading and math, as well as needs for health services. It is the purpose and goal of Region 1 to identify and recruit migrant students in order to provide supplementary educational instruction and health services to help ensure that migrant students benefit from state and local systemic reforms.
Services may vary from one district to another depending on the number of students and their needs. Our Morgan Hill School District Migrant student count is 1,150. Our numbers change daily, as our migrant families are highly mobile. What Services are provided? Preschool Program (MEES) Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Parent Involvement and Training Family-School Community Partnership Secondary School/College Awareness Out of School Youth Programs Outdoor Education Program PASS Program Independent Study Program Advocacy and Outreach Summer School Programs Supportive Health Services in Cooperation with Other Agencies Our Morgan Hill Migrant students participate in several programs through-out the year. Walden West Camp August 6 August 10 Back Pack Donation Program Katrina Give a Bear Back to school clothes, Child Spree Student Leadership Development Conference August 2 August 5 Experience in Democracy Leadership Program July 20 August 5 Summer Reading Program
Winter Coat Drive Giveaway Christmas Tree Wish List Toys for Tots Groundhog Job Shadow Day Outstanding Migrant Student Recognition Day Certificate of Eligibility The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the legal document used in California to record the eligibility information on all children who are enrolled in the Migrant Education Program. It must be completed by an authorized employee of the Migrant Education Program. The instructions for completion of the COE must be adhered to strictly in order to ensure compliance with federal eligibility regulations and with state policy. The factors that must be considered in determining a qualifying move are: The qualifying arrival date (QAD) The qualifying worker (parent, guardian, child or member of the family) The departure point (the last community the family moved to) The reason for the move (specific type of work sought) Morgan Hill Unified School District Migrant Educational Program Program Personnel: Dr. Esther Corral-Carlson, Program Director Teresa Romero, MEP Coordinator Patricia Aglony, Migrant Clerk/Translator Teresa Hernandez, MEES Liaison