Migrant Education Program, 2021-2022. Research Educational Program Report

Overview & Synopsis

The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is authorized under Title I, Part C of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Title I, Part C states that the purpose of the MEP is to assist states in their efforts to meet the special needs of migrant students by providing migratory children with the opportunity to meet the same challenging State content and performance standards that the State has established for all children (U.S. Department of Education [USDE], 2018). In general, the MEP attempts to "support high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migrant children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves" (USDE, 2018). A migrant student, according to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 sections 1309(2)(A) refers to any child whose parent/guardian/spouse works in one of the aforementioned industries and has crossed school district lines within the previous 36 months for the purpose of temporary or seasonal employment in the agricultural or fishing industries (U.S. Department of Education [USDE], 2018). In an effort to comply with Part C of Title I, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Division of Migrant Education works with local education agencies to design programs that ensure migrant students "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, and to prepare them to make a successful transition to postsecondary education or employment" (Texas Education Agency, Division of Migrant Education, 2018). The Texas Migrant Education Program is the second largest in the country (Texas Education Agency, Division of Migrant Education, 2006). This evaluation was designed to provide data regarding outcomes obtained and services provided by the HISD Migrant Education Program for the 2021-2022 program year. It is one component of the HISD MEP's ongoing work to determine the effectiveness of services to migrant children and youth. This report discusses findings related to service delivery and program outcomes as it relates to the academic achievements of migrant students. The evaluation seeks to provide a district perspective on services and their impact to enable the MEP to make programmatic decisions based on data.