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Harvests of Hope
Guide to the Program Services of the Office of Migrant Education

MIGRANT EDUCATION AND THE IMPROVING AMERICA'S SCHOOLS ACT

The principle that all children can learn is the foundation of the Improving America's Schools Act (TASA) of 1994 (P.L. 103-3 82). Prior to the changes brought about by this reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6391 et seq), children were categorized according to various identified needs or risk factors. Congress recognized that this categorical approach to children was counter-productive to the goal of improving American education for all children. The language contained in the new law reflects this change in thinking.
"All children can master challenging content and complex problem-solving skills. Research clearly shows that children, including low-achieving children, can succeed when expectations are high and all children are given the opportunity to learn challenging material."
(20 U.s.c. 6301)

The IASA establishes a priority for services for migrant children who are failing or at risk of failing to meet their states' content and performance standards and whose education has been interrupted during the past three years. Migrant education services will be coordinated with other federal, state, and local education services to help migrant children achieve to high standards set by states.

BASIC FORMULA GRANT PROGRAM

The Basic State Formula Grant Program provides funds to state education agencies (SEAs) to be used for supplemental education and support services for migrant children. Awards are based on the number of eligible children identified within the state. This program helps ensure that migrant children can benefit from state and local systemic reforms and:
meet the same challenging state content and student performance standards that all children are expected to meet;
overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, health-related problems, and other problems that result from repeated moves; and
prepare for a successful transition to post-secondary education or employment.


MIGRANT EDUCATION COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

The Office of Migrant Education (OME) works with migrant programs in other federal agencies to improve coordination of services to migrant workers and their families. Coordination activities are funded by OME through monies reserved from the appropriation for the Basic State Formula Grant Program. Discretionary grants or contracts are awarded to projects designed to improve inter- and intra-state coordination of migrant education activities. Currently there are 15 Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers that assist with these efforts. They will be funded through 1999.

CONSORTIUM ARRANGEMENTS

Each year up to $1.5 million of the funds reserved fo coordination activities can be awarded for incentive grants to encourage states to form consortia that reduce administrative costs and increase funds availabl for direct services to children. Approved consortia arrangements currently include projects in which states
o coordinate identification and recruitment efforts;
o administer out-of-state testing for students whose home base is in another state;
o utilize distance learning technology; and,
o are developing assessment instruments to improve academic placement of migrant students in core subject areas
.
TOLL FREE REFERRAL SERVICE

Coordination monies currently fund a toll-free telephone number that migrant families can call to reach the nearest migrant education program.
The telephone number is 1-800-234-8848.

MIGRANT EDUCATION EVEN START

Funded under Title 1, Part B of the ESEA (20 U.s.c. 6362), the Migrant Education Even Start Program (MEES) provides discretionary grants to programs that integrate early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parent education into a unified family literacy program, so as to help migrant families break the twin cycles of poverty and illiteracy.

The following two programs are authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 u.s.c., 1070d-2b).

EQUIVALENCY PROGRAM

The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) provides discretionary grants to institutions of higher education (IHE), or other non-profit organizations in cooperation with an IHE, to provide academic and support services, including counseling, health services, stipends, and job or education placement to eligible migrant or seasonal farm workers, or specified family member. To be eligible for HEP an individual must be at least 16 years of age, lack a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet other statutory eligibility requirements. This program provides instruction and support services to help participants obtain a general education diploma and subsequently to enter an institution of postsecondary education, a job training program, or the workplace.

COLLEGE ASSISTANCE MIGRANT PROGRAM

The college Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) assists migrant first-year college undergraduates. CAMP provides discretionary grants to IHEs, or other non-profit organizations in cooperation with an IHE, to offer tutoring, counseling, health services, assistance with special admissions, and some financial assistance to enable migrant youth to successfully complete the first year of postsecondary education. Students are also assisted with obtaining financial aid to help with the remainder of their undergraduate academic careers.

THE MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM

In 1960, Edward R. Murrow's documentary "Harvest of Shame" increased public awareness of the lives of migrant laborers and their families, and moved Congress to include language in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 (20U.S.C.6391 et seq) to help the children of migrant farm workers. Since that time, the Office of Migrant Education (OME), in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) has administered grants to states for programs that provide both supplemental instruction and support services to children of migratory agricultural workers and fishers. Currently, such programs operate in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Since its inception, the Migrant Education Program has enabled states to help hundreds of thousands of migrant children. Through the efforts of many dedicated personnel, the children of migrant laborers gain access to a quality education. For more information on Migrant Education Programs, please contact:

Director, Office of Migrant Education
U.S. Department of Education /OESE
600 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 4100, Portals Building
Washington, D.C. 20202-6135
(202)260-1164 Voice
(202)205-0089 Fax

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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