The Culture of Agricultural Migrant Families and Education

Mae LindenbergGrafton Public Schools

Richard RayManvel Public Schools

Welcome to the North Dakota Migrant Education Program

National ProgramGrew out of Title 1 Public Law 89-10Passed in 1965Migrant Education Program was established

as an amendment in 1966 due to the specific needs of Migrant children

Why Give Help to Migrant Students?Education is interruptedLarge families with inadequate living spaceLow incomesLimited English skillsLittle experience with success at schoolIrregular attendanceFrustration and low academic performance High drop out rate

What is a Migrant Worker?Migrant workers seek temporary or seasonal

jobs in agriculture, fishing or related work.Many have an average income below the

national poverty level.Diverse ethnicity: not limited to, Hispanics,

blacks, whites, Native Americans and Asians.

Eligibility RequirementsMove with in the last 3 years across state

lines or school districtsMigrant parent, guardian, or member of the

child’s immediate family seeking temporary or seasonal employment in an agricultural or fishing activity

Child must be in any grade between preschool (3 years of age) and grade 12

Goal of the North Dakota Migrant Education Program

Promote academic excellence and equity for the migrant students of North Dakota.To develop self-confidence in migrant studentsTo help the migrant students feel good about

themselvesTo help migrant students enjoy school, attain

an education and overcome the many difficulties in their lives.

The Mission of the ND Migrant Program

Areas of focus to ensure that the appropriate services are addressed: Identification and Recruitment of all eligible childrenAn assurance of sequence and continuity between

schoolsSpecial teachers, tutors or aides for small group

instructionProgram is supplemental, targeting needs of studentsSupportive health services in coordination with other

agenciesPreschool and kindergarten programs designed to

prepare migrant children for academic successAssistance with ELL instruction

PASS Program(Portable Assisted Study Sequence)

ProblemsCurriculum matchInterrupted school yearStudents attending schools in MexicoSchools with different academic expectationsData Sharing

SolutionsUnderstanding the challenges of the Migrant ChildUse and acceptance of the PASS programData Sharing between schoolsCooperation between Migrant School and LEA’s

Questions???????

*Information for this presentation comes from the state migrant office.