Academics

Academics continue to be an area concern for migrant students. We are here to help close the achievement gap through supportive services to school districts. Below is some information regarding the background of Migrant Education, as well as assistance that we can provide in working with the current Washington State Migrant Service Delivery Plan. 

Click on a heading to see more information:

• The Seven Areas of Concern
• Math and Literacy Toolkit
• Sample Partial Credit Policy
• Space Academy Program

The Seven Areas of Concern

Migrant children are thought to be at high risk of school failure due to seven areas of concern that arise out of the educational problems associated with the migrant lifestyle.

The four States in the pilot project (i.e., Arizona, Michigan. Pennsylvania, and Texas) spent considerable time and effort in identifying the conditions (directly related to the migrant lifestyle) that prevent migrant children from performing well in reading, mathematics, or to stay in school and graduate. For the purposes of the pilot project, these conditions are called "concerns." Such concerns were identified in all of the States with extensive input from individuals through strategies that included, but were not limited to: web-based surveys, teleconferences, focus groups. consultant services, and the review of existing data. For each of the concerns. the States then developed a number of draft "indicators" (i.e., a measure that further defines and verifies that a particular concern actually exists for migrant children). On the basis of this work seven common "areas of concern" emerged and are thought to be important for all States to initially consider in the early stages of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment.

The Seven Areas of Concern for Migrant Students are as follows:

1. Educational Continuity
2. Instructional Time
3. School Engagement
4. English Language Development
5. Educational Support in the Home
6. Health
7. Access to Services

For more information please contact your local MERO office.

Math and Literacy Toolkit

Due to the significant achievement gap facing migrant students, we at the Migrant Education Program in Washington have developed samples and recommendations of how to intentionally include migrant parents involved in the literacy and math programs at your schools. We have been working with Practitioners (ESD staff, specialists, teachers, parents, community members and consultants) within the fields of literacy and mathematics to help to develop “Toolkits” that districts can utilize, customize and develop in their own community. We have developed Facilitator’s Guides for planning, implementing and evaluating Family Math and Literacy Nights. These guides lead district staff, with support from MERO staff, through the process of intentionally including and supporting migrant families and students. We have developed, with much support from existing programs, handouts for families regarding math and literacy concepts and standards, and strategies to support students in the home PreK-12 grade.

All of our services, trainings and products are available in English and Spanish as well as for people with lower literacy capability in mind.

Space Academy Program

The Washington State Migrant Education Program (MEP) each year invites outstanding migrant students and teachers(chaperones) to apply to attend Space Academy, located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The participating students will be selected from throughout the state. This is a competitive scholarship for students and teachers. To apply, students must have recommendations from their teachers, demonstrated leadership in their community and a written essay on their experiences as a migrant students and their future goals relating to math and science.

The scholarship is open to qualifying migrant students in the state of Washington who are 12 through 14 years old at the time they attend Space Academy  in Huntsville, Alabama each summer. The program offers an all-expense paid, week-long trip to NASA Space Academy. Expenses for the students' participation, including meals and lodging during their stay at the Center, will be paid by the MEP. Each student will be provided a round-trip ticket on a selected airline and terminate at a point near his or her home. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

For more information, please visit the MERO Space Academy Website.