• Migrant Education Program

    The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a federal program that provides supplemental education and supportive services to eligible migrant students. The purpose of the Migrant Educational Program is to ensure that migrant children fully benefit from the same free public education provided to all children and that the unmet education-related needs resulting from their migrant lifestyle are met.

    According to sections 1115(c)(1)(A) (incorporated into the MEP by sections 1304(c)(2), 1115(b), and 1309(3) of the ESEA, and 34 C.F.R. § 200.103(a)), a child is a “migratory child” if the following conditions are met:

    1. The child is not older than 21 years of age; and
    2. The child is entitled to a free public education (through grade 12) under State law, or the child is not yet at a grade level at which the LEA provides a free public education, and
    3. The child made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months as a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher, or did so with, or to join a parent/guardian or spouse who is a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher; and
    4. The child moved due to economic necessity from one residence to another residence, and from one school district to another.

    Migrant student identification:

    Identification and recruitment (ID&R) are unique features of the MEP. Before a migrant participant may be served by the program or counted for funding purposes in the program, his or her eligibility must be documented on a certificate of eligibility or “COE”.

    • Occupational Survey questions are embedded on the APS Student Enrollment Form and the responses are entered by the school registrar into Infinite Campus.
    • APS sends the survey to the trained district SSP/MEP contact or MEP regional office for a follow-up interview and potential COE.
    • State migrant staff complete the eligibility interview and the COE.
    • State migrant staff notify APS, which in turn, notifies parents and implements necessary supports and all requirements of the MEP.

     

    Helpful links:
    Georgia, Department of Education, Title I and Migrant

     

     

    Katherine Stocking

    Federal Programs Support Specialist

    Center for Equity & Social Justice

    Atlanta Public Schools

    130 Trinity Ave

    Atlanta, Georgia 30303

    404-802-2787 (phone)

    kastocking@atlanta.k12.ga.us